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

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Kodal, Arne and Muirhead, Fiona and Reilly, John and Wergeland, Gro Janne H. and Thorsen, Paul Joachim Bloch and Bovim, Lars Peder Vatshelle and Bircow Elgen, Irene (2024) Feasibility of a physical activity intervention for children and adolescents with anxiety and depression. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 10 (1). 49. ISSN 2055-5784 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-024-01466-8)

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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.

ORCID iDs

Kodal, Arne, Muirhead, Fiona ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2683-0523, Reilly, John ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6165-5471, Wergeland, Gro Janne H., Thorsen, Paul Joachim Bloch, Bovim, Lars Peder Vatshelle and Bircow Elgen, Irene;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)