Bewegung, körperliche Aktivität und Sport bei depressiven Erkrankungen

Exercise as Treatment for "Stress-Related" Mental Disorders

The beneficial impact of physical activity on preventing and treating mental disorders has captured growing (research) interest. This article aims to provide a concise overview of essential evidence regarding the effectiveness and underlying mechanisms of physical activity for individuals with mental disorders clustered as "stress-related" conditions. Empirical findings (e.g., longitudinalprospective studies, interventional randomized-controlled-trials, reviews, meta-analyses) regarding the effects of physical activity in the prevention and treatment of stress-related mental disorders are summarized. Furthermore, potential mechanisms underlying these effects are discussed, and recommendations regarding the use of physical activity are outlined. The majority of studies indicate good efficacy of physical activity in prospectively lowering the risk for the incidence of subsequent stress-related mental disorders as well as in the treatment of manifest disorders. Most evidence targets unipolar depressive disorder and, secondly, anxiety disorders. Research regarding posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and somatoform disorders is promising but scarce. Physical activity seems to be useful as a stand-alone-treatment as well as in combination with other psychotherapeutic or pharmacological treatments. Multiple intertwined physiological, psychological, and social mechanisms are assumed to mediate the beneficial effects. Recommendations regarding physical activity can orientate on official guidelines but should consider the individual needs and circumstances of each subject. In summary, physical activity seems to be effective in the prevention and treatment of stressrelated mental disorders and, therefore, should be fostered in healthcare-settings. Future studies are needed to clarify partly inconsistent patterns of results and to close research gaps, e.g., concerning somatoform disorders.

Resistance Training in Depression

BACKGROUND

More than 320 million people around the world suffer from depression. Physical activity and sports are effective treatment strategies. Endurance training has already been intensively studied, but any potential antidepressant effect of resistance training is unknown at present, nor is it clear whether this could yield any relevant benefit in clinical use.

METHODS

The PubMed database was selectively searched for recent studies and review articles concerning the use, efficacy, and safety of resistance training in persons with depressive symptoms and diagnosed depression.

RESULTS

Two meta-analyses revealed that resistance training alleviated depressive symptoms with a low to moderate effect size (0.39-0.66). Resistance training in patients with diagnosed depression was studied in seven randomized controlled trials, in which the duration of the intervention ranged from eight weeks to eight months. In six of these trials, the depressive symptoms were reduced. In one trial, a persistent benefit was seen in the resistance-training group at 26 months of follow-up (adherence, 33%). Moreover, resistance training improved strength, quality of life, and quality of sleep. No serious adverse events occurred; this indicates that resistance training in depression is safe.

CONCLUSION

Resistance training seems to have an antidepressant effect. Open questions remain concerning its effects in different age groups, as well as the optimal training parameters. Further high-quality trials will be needed to document the effect of resistance training more conclusively and to enable the formulation of treatment recommendations.

Aktiv und zufrieden? Körperliche Aktivität und berufsbezogene Lebensqualität bei Psycholog:innen

Hintergrund

Klinisch tätige Psycholog:innen sind in ihrer Arbeit mit Menschen mit psychischen Erkrankungen oft zahlreichen Stressoren ausgesetzt; diese können sich in psychischer Belastung und einer verringerten Lebensqualität niederschlagen. Körperliche Aktivität könnte eine protektive Ressource darstellen, diesbezüglich fehlen jedoch bisher empirische Befunde.

Methoden

Im Rahmen einer querschnittlichen Online-Befragung über SoSci-Survey (Januar bis April 2020) wurden die körperliche Aktivität und die berufsbezogene Lebensqualität (positive Dimension: Mitgefühlszufriedenheit; negative Dimension: Mitgefühlsmüdigkeit) einer Gelegenheitsstichprobe aus 443 klinisch tätigen Psycholog:innen mithilfe etablierter Selbstberichtfragebogen (International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Short Form [IPAQ-SF], Professional Quality of Life Scale [ProQOL]) erfasst.

Ergebnisse

Der Großteil der befragten Psycholog:innen erfüllte das von der Weltgesundheitsorganisation empfohlene Mindestmaß an körperlicher Aktivität. Die Mitgefühlszufriedenheit war im Schnitt relativ hoch, während eher geringe bis moderate Ausprägungen an Burn-out-Symptomatik sowie sekundärem traumatischem Stress (Facetten der Mitgefühlsmüdigkeit) berichtet wurden. Außer vereinzelten kleinen negativen Korrelationen zwischen körperlicher Inaktivität und Mitgefühlszufriedenheit bei Psycholog:innen in Weiterbildung sowie Burn-out-Symptomen und körperlicher Gesamtaktivität bei Psychologischen Psychotherapeut:innen waren keine Zusammenhänge zwischen körperlicher Aktivität und berufsbezogener Lebensqualität ersichtlich.

Schlussfolgerungen

Psycholog:innen scheinen zu großen Teilen eine körperlich aktive und tendenziell zufriedene Berufsgruppe darzustellen. Zusammenhänge zwischen körperlicher Aktivität und Lebensqualität könnten teilweise durch Deckeneffekte verdeckt sein. Des Weiteren könnte eine Analyse der Ursachen für diese adaptiven Ausprägungen in Aktivität und Lebensqualität Anhaltspunkte für Maßnahmen zur Förderung anderer Professionen liefern.