summary: Engaging in an exercise program reduced suicidal ideation and behavior in patients with mental and physical health problems who previously had suicidal ideation.
sauce: University of Ottawa
A new study from the University of Ottawa School of Medicine found that patients with mental or physical illnesses, contrary to previous thinking, were able to successfully adhere to exercise regimens, resulting in fewer suicide attempts.
The findings challenge the misconception that patients suffering from mental or physical illnesses are not motivated to participate in exercise therapy, which is as effective as antidepressants and cognitive-behavioral therapy in treating depression. However, the effect on suicidal behavior was unknown.
“This misconception leads to primary care providers underprescribing exercise, further aggravating the mental and physical health of their patients,” says Arnab Gupta, psychiatry resident and medical student. Nicholas Fabiano, Ph.D., lead author of the study.
“The results of this study ‘expose’ this belief that exercise is well tolerated by people with mental or physical illnesses. Therefore, health care providers are apprehensive about prescribing exercise to these patients.” Shouldn’t. ”
Under the supervision of psychiatrists Dr. Marco Solmi and Dr. Jess Feidorowicz, Fabiano and Gupta evaluated and subtracted the results of 17 randomized controlled trials involving more than 1,000 participants.
About this exercise and mental health research news
author: Paul Logothetis
sauce: University of Ottawa
contact: Paul Logothetis – University of Ottawa
image: image is public domain
Original research: open access.
“Effect of Exercise on Suicidal Behavior: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials” by Nicholas Fabiano et al. Affective Disorder Journal
overview
Effect of Exercise on Suicidal Behavior: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Background
Exercise may have a positive impact on people with mental illness and other illnesses, but there is a lack of understanding of how it affects suicidal ideation and risk.
method
From inception to June 21, 2022, we conducted a PRISMA 2020-compliant systematic review searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, and PsycINFO. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed. The main outcome was suicidal ideation. Studies were assessed for bias using the risk of bias tool 2.
result
We identified 17 RCTs involving 1021 participants. Depression was the most common condition (71%, k = 12). Mean follow-up was 10.0 weeks (SD = 5.2). post-intervention suicidal ideation (SMD = -1.09, CI -3.08–0.90, p= 0.20, k = 5) were not significantly different between exercise and control groups. Suicide attempts were significantly reduced in participants randomized to the exercise intervention compared with inactive controls (OR = 0.23, CI 0.09–0.67, p =0.04, k = 2). Fourteen studies (82%) were at high risk of bias.
Limitations
This meta-analysis is limited by a small number of underpowered and heterogeneous studies.
Conclusion
Overall, our meta-analysis found no significant reduction in suicidal ideation or mortality between exercise and control groups. However, exercise significantly reduced suicide attempts. The results should be considered preliminary and larger studies assessing suicidal tendencies in RCT testing exercises are needed.
