Feasibility of a physical activity intervention for children and adolescents with anxiety and depression

Arne Kodal; Fiona Muirhead; John J Reilly; Gro Janne Wergeland; Paul Joachim Bloch Thorsen; Lars Peder Bovim; Irene Bircow Elgen

doi:10.1186/s40814-024-01466-8

Feasibility of a physical activity intervention for children and adolescents with anxiety and depression

Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2024 Mar 5;10(1):49. doi: 10.1186/s40814-024-01466-8.

Authors

Arne Kodal^{1

2}, Fiona Muirhead³, John J Reilly³, Gro Janne Wergeland^{4

5}, Paul Joachim Bloch Thorsen⁴, Lars Peder Bovim⁶, Irene Bircow Elgen^{4

5}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, N-5021, Bergen, Norway. arko@norceresearch.no.
² Norce Research, RKBU Vest-Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, Postboks 22, Nygårdstangen, Bergen, 5838, Norway. arko@norceresearch.no.
³ School of Psychological Science and Health, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland.
⁴ Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, N-5021, Bergen, Norway.
⁵ Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, N-5020, Bergen, Norway.
⁶ Department of Health and Functioning, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway.

Abstract

Background: Physical activity is identified as a key modifiable factor towards good short- and long-term mental health and has shown positive effects on anxiety and depression in children and adolescents. However, physical activity-based interventions are not a part of standard mental health care and evidence on the effect of such interventions is still lacking. A transdiagnostic, physical activity-based intervention was developed as a supplement to routine clinical care for youth in specialized child and adolescent mental health services.

Methods: /design. The feasibility of the physical activity intervention (Confident, Active, and Happy Youth) was evaluated in an open-label study by assessing the recruitment process, acceptability, intervention suitability, contentment, and preliminary intervention effects in the form of youth and parent-rated anxiety and depressive symptoms. Physical activity levels were objectively measured using Actigraph™ physical activity sensors, and progression to a definitive study was evaluated in accordance with a priori criteria.

Results: In total 21 of 25 eligible youth consented to participate, two dropped out of the intervention and 19 completed (76% of eligible participants). The retention rate among consenting participants was 89% and mean attendance to sessions was 83%. The suitability of the intervention was rated as good by the youth and their parents, and intervention contentment was rated high. Changes in youth and parent-rated symptom measures following the intervention were negligible, except for parent-rated anxiety symptoms assessed at 10-month follow-up. Accelerometer data indicated lower levels of moderate to vigorous activity during sessions than intended. No adverse effects were noted.

Conclusion: This feasibility study met the pre-determined progression criteria to a definitive study. Thus, a larger trial with longer follow-up should be conducted to explore the effect of the intervention.

Trial registration: ClnicalTrials.gov, NCT05049759. Retrospectively registered, 20.09.2021.

Keywords: Anxiety; Depression; Intervention; Physical activity; Youth.

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT05049759