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Cited by 94Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesDigital Mental Health InterventionsMental Health Treatment and Access

The effectiveness of simple psychological and physical activity interventions for high prevalence mental health problems in young people: a factorial randomised controlled trial

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Parker, Alexandra G., Hetrick, Sarah E., Jorm, Anthony F., Mackinnon, Andrew J., McGorry, Patrick D., Yung, Alison R., Scanlan, Faye, Stephens, Jessica +3 more·2016·Journal of Affective Disorders
DOI 10.1016/j.jad.2016.02.043
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Abstract

Background The prevalence and burden of disease of depression and anxiety disorders in young people necessitates effective early intervention strategies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of low-intensity interventions (problem solving therapy (PST) and physical activity promotion) in young people (15-25 years) with mild-moderate depression and/or anxiety.Method A 2×2 factorial randomised controlled trial (RCT) with factors of PST versus supportive counselling (control) and behavioural activation physical activity versus lifestyle psychoeducation (control). Help-seeking participants (n=176) were randomised to receive up to 6 manualised intervention sessions. Primary outcomes were post-intervention depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), anxiety symptoms (Beck Anxiety Inventory), and Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)). Trial registration ACTRN12608000550303.Results Depression symptoms were significantly reduced in the physical activity group compared to psychoeducation (BDI-II: d=0.41 (95% CI: 0.07-0.76); MADRS: d=0.48 (95% CI: 0.13-0.82), but not post-intervention anxiety symptoms. PST was not superior to supportive counselling, nor were any interactions between interventions significant.Limitations As self reported levels of physical activity did not significantly differ between baseline and end-point in those randomised to the physical activity intervention, it is unclear as to whether some form of physical activity not measured in the trial may have led to the difference in depression symptoms.Conclusions PST was not superior to supportive counselling in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms in young people. Participants who received the physical activity intervention reported the greatest reduction in depression symptoms, however further research is required to establish the mechanism of action and to determine its effectiveness as an adjunct intervention in routine clinical practice.

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  • Young people seeking help for anxiety and depression may not meet public health guideline levels of physical activity.

    “Young people seeking help for anxiety and depression may not meet public health guideline levels of physical activity (Parker 2016).”

    From Exercise for the treatment of anxiety in children and adolescents (2022) · cites this paper as Parker 2016

  • Light-intensity interventions may have the capacity to be delivered by a range of professionals across different settings.

    “Light-intensity interventions may also have the capacity to be delivered by a range of professionals across different settings,66 be less reliant on group-based formats and may also be a good basis on which to develop self-efficacy for PA/exercise,67 which might then lead to uptake of more intensive types of PA/exercise,68 providing impetus to examine these interventions.”

    From Physical activity and exercise in youth mental health promotion: a scoping review (2020) · cites this paper as [66]

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Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. Brent, D.A., Birmaher, B., 2002. Adolescent depression. New England Journal of Medicine 347, 667-671.
  2. Larun, L., Nordheim, L.V., Ekeland, E., Hagen, K.B., Heian, F., 2009. Exercise in prevention and treatment of anxiety and depression among children and young people. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Issue 3. Art. No.: CD004691. , DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD14004691.pub14651852. · DOI
  3. Lukoff, D., Neuchterlein, K.H., Ventura, J., 1986. Manual for the Expanded Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. Schizophrenia Bulletin 12, 594-602.
  4. Parker, A. G., Hetrick, S. E., Jorm, A. F., Mackinnon, A. J., McGorry, P. D., Yung, A. R., Scanlan, F., Stephens, J., Baird, S., Moller, B. & Purcell, R. (2016). The effectiveness of simple psychological and physical activity interventions for high prevalence mental health problems in young people: A factorial randomised controlled trial. JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS, 196, pp.200-209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2016.02.043. Persistent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11343/59273 File Description: Accepted version

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Authors
Parker, A. G., Hetrick, S. E., Jorm, A. F., Mackinnon, A. J., McGorry, P. D., Yung, A. R., Scanlan, F., Stephens, J., Baird, S., Moller, B., & Purcell, R.
Affiliations
  • The University of Melbourne (AU)
  • Orygen Youth Health (AU)
Corresponding author
Parker, Alexandra G.
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Affective Disorders
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2016-05
Volume
196
Pages
200-209
ISSN
0165-0327 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.jad.2016.02.043
OpenAlex
W2280758943
Cited by
94
References
78
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 12 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 1
FWCI
12.78
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Journal of Affective Disorders (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Minerva Access (University of Melbourne) (submittedVersion)
  • Victoria University Research Repository (Victoria University) (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
Simmons
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
Keywords
problem-solving therapy, physical activity promotion, behavioral activation, youth, depression, anxiety, low-intensity psychological interventions, supportive counseling, help-seeking, early intervention
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Anxiety, Depression, Exercise Therapy, Female, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Motor Activity, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Psychotherapy, Prevalence, Treatment Outcome, Young Adult

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