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Effects of Exercise on Depression and Anxiety. A Comparison to Transdiagnostic Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

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Abstract

The aims of this study were (i) to know the effects of an exercise program on a group of people with depression and anxiety and (ii) to compare theses effects with a transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral group therapy (TCBGT). The participants were 15 people with depression and/or anxiety symptoms. The participants followed an exercise program. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed with validated questionnaires. An exercise program can be used as a treatment option for people with depression and/or anxiety with good results in comparison with TCBGT.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the participants for their time and effort, as well as to World Class Gym for providing the participants and researchers access to their centre and equipment during the intervention period.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physical Activity, Physical Education, Sport and Health Research Centre (PAPESH), Sports Science Department; School of Science and Engineering,, Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland

    Kristín B. Ólafsdóttir, Hafrún Kristjánsdóttir & Jose M. Saavedra

  2. Landspitali, The University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavĺk, Iceland

    Kristín B. Ólafsdóttir

Authors
  1. Kristín B. Ólafsdóttir
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  2. Hafrún Kristjánsdóttir
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  3. Jose M. Saavedra
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hafrún Kristjánsdóttir.

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Ethical approval

The study was approved by the National Bioethics Committee of the Government of Iceland (Reference Number 12-030).

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Ólafsdóttir, K.B., Kristjánsdóttir, H. & Saavedra, J.M. Effects of Exercise on Depression and Anxiety. A Comparison to Transdiagnostic Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Community Ment Health J 54, 855–859 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-017-0213-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-017-0213-9

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