Longitudinal associations between physical activity, anxiety, and depression in adults with long-term physical disabilities

Health Psychol, 2020 · DOI: 10.1037/hea0000848 · Published: June 1, 2020

Simple Explanation

This study looked at how physical activity relates to anxiety and depression in adults with long-term physical disabilities over a three-year period. Researchers analyzed data from a large survey where participants reported their physical activity levels and symptoms of anxiety and depression. The study found that higher levels of physical activity were linked to decreases in both depression and anxiety symptoms over time. This suggests that being more physically active can help improve mental well-being in this population. Interestingly, the benefits were most noticeable with moderate amounts of physical activity. Also, moderate to strenuous activities, but not mild activities, were associated with improved mental health.

Study Duration

3 years

Participants

1594 community-dwelling adults with long-term physical disabilities

Evidence Level

Longitudinal survey study

Key Findings

1
Greater quantities of physical activity were associated with decreases in both depression and anxiety symptom severity over the three-year period.
2
The association between physical activity and depression severity was found to be curvilinear, meaning the benefits leveled off at higher activity levels.
3
Moderate and strenuous physical activity were significantly associated with decreases in negative affect, while mild physical activity was not.

Research Summary

The study examined the longitudinal associations between physical activity and anxiety and depression symptom severity in adults with chronic physical conditions. Greater quantities of physical activity were associated with reductions in both anxiety and depression severity over time, with the strongest associations observed at low-to-moderate levels of physical activity. Moderate and strenuous intensities of physical activity were associated with improved psychological function over time, while mild physical activity was not.

Practical Implications

Clinical Interventions

Rehabilitation clinicians should consider incorporating physical activity interventions into the treatment plans of individuals with physical disabilities who also experience anxiety and depression.

Personalized Exercise Programs

Physical activity programs should be tailored to balance feasibility with the necessary quantity and intensity of exercise to achieve negative affect regulation.

Combined Therapies

Combining physical activity interventions with behavioral and psychological treatments may result in synergistic improvements in affective conditions.

Study Limitations

1
The study sample was primarily white and well-educated, limiting generalizability.
2
The study design was correlational, making it difficult to establish causal relationships between physical activity and psychological function.
3
Self-reported measures of physical activity may be subject to reporting and recall biases.

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