Exercise and physical activity in mental disorders
Abstract
Exercise (EX) and physical activity (PA) have been shown to prevent or delay the onset of several mental disorders and to have therapeutic effects in different groups of psychiatric disorders. This review focuses on studies investigating EX as therapeutic intervention in anxiety disorders, affective disorders, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders. Despite EX being discussed as a potential therapy for several decades, adequately powered randomized, controlled trials are sparse in most disorder groups. Nevertheless, evidence points toward disorder-specific benefits that can be induced by EX/PA. Mechanisms of the therapeutic effects of EX/PA are summarized, including metabolic and physiological as well as psychological aspects. Finally, implications for research and therapeutic practice are illustrated.
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Studies show therapeutic benefits of exercise for panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder.
“Studies also show therapeutic bene fi ts of exercise for other mental illnesses including panic disorder (Wolff et al. 2011) and obsessive compulsive disorder (Brown et al. 2007; Abrantes et al. 2009).”
From A call to action: Exercise as treatment for patients with mental illness (2015) · cites this paper as Wolff et al. 2011
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Exercise Benefits Brain Function: The Monoamine Connection
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“Studies also show therapeutic benefits of exercise for other mental illnesses including panic disorder (Wolff et al. 2011) and obsessive compulsive disorder (Brown et al.”
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- Authors
- Wolff, E., Gaudlitz, K., von Lindenberger, B.-L., Plag, J., Heinz, A., & Ströhle, A.
- Affiliations
- Stiftung Charité (DE)
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Wolff, Elisabeth
- Venue
- European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
- Published
- 2011-09-21
- Volume
- 261
- Issue
- S2
- Pages
- 186-191
- ISSN
- 0003-9373 (ISSN-L)
- 0940-1334
- 1433-8491
- OpenAlex
- W2031122668
- Cited by
- 144
- References
- 5
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 30 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 1.10
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Keywords
- physical activity, mental illness, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, eating disorders, schizophrenia, substance use disorders, exercise therapy, prevention of mental disorders
- MeSH terms
- Anxiety Disorders, Feeding and Eating Disorders, Mental Disorders, Humans, Motor Activity, Schizophrenia, Exercise, Mood Disorders, Substance-Related Disorders
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