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A scoping review of physical activity interventions in youth attending child and adolescent mental health services

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Abstract

Background

There has been an international effort to improve physical health in general and in those with mental illness. Physical activity (PA) may be beneficial as an adjunctive treatment for mental health disorders and to improve physical well-being.

Aims

The objective of this scoping review is to understand the extent and type of evidence in relation to PA interventions offered in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). Eligibility was determined using the Population, Concept, Context framework. Studies were included if the participants were under 18 years old, attending CAMHS and where PA interventions were offered.

Methods

PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsycINFO and SportDiscus were searched without language or date restrictions. Titles and abstracts, followed by full texts, were screened by two independent reviewers. Two reviewers carried out data extraction, and discrepancies in any of these processes were resolved in consultation with a third reviewer.

Results

After 2213 non-duplicate titles and abstracts were screened, 2090 were excluded and 123 full texts were screened. Seventeen studies met inclusion criteria. Included studies demonstrated PA interventions to be effective in reducing depressive symptoms and improving psychosocial functioning. While no study reported significant changes in anthropometric measurements, 2 studies demonstrated increased aerobic fitness.

Conclusion

Evidence that PA interventions are being offered in CAMHS worldwide is limited. Included studies demonstrate potential benefits in depressive symptoms, psychosocial functioning, self-esteem and aerobic fitness in youth attending CAMHS. Future research should identify effective ways to incorporate exercise interventions in CAMHS and evaluate long-term benefits.

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Data availability

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article and its supplementary materials.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lucena Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), Dublin, Ireland

    Maeve Haran & Fiona McNicholas

  2. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    Maeve Haran & Fiona McNicholas

  3. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Children’s Health Ireland at Tallaght, Dublin, D24TN3C, Ireland

    David Killeen

  4. Head of Library Services, St John of God’s Research Foundation, Saint John of God Hospitaller Services Group, Granada, Stillorgan, Dublin, Ireland

    Justin Smyth

  5. Department of Paediatric Liaison Psychiatry, Children’s Health Ireland (CHI), Dublin, Ireland

    Fiona McNicholas

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  1. Maeve Haran
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  2. David Killeen
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  4. Fiona McNicholas
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Correspondence to Maeve Haran.

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Haran, M., Killeen, D., Smyth, J. et al. A scoping review of physical activity interventions in youth attending child and adolescent mental health services. Ir J Med Sci (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-024-03607-7

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