A 2-week exercise intervention, with or without cognitive restructuring, significantly reduced anxiety sensitivity compared to a waitlist control (d=2.15).
RCT (n=60)
randomly assigned
Does a 2-week exercise intervention reduce anxiety sensitivity in participants with elevated levels of anxiety sensitivity?
A 2-week exercise intervention significantly reduces anxiety sensitivity and improves anxious and depressed mood, suggesting its potential as an adjunctive psychosocial intervention for conditions like panic disorder.
Effect estimate: d=2.15
BACKGROUND: Exercise interventions repeatedly have been shown to be efficacious for the treatment of depression, and initial studies indicate similar efficacy for the treatment of anxiety conditions. To further study the potential beneficial role of prescriptive exercise for anxiety-related conditions, we examined the role of exercise in reducing fears of anxiety-related sensations (anxiety sensitivity). METHODS: We randomly assigned 60 participants with elevated levels of anxiety sensitivity to a 2-week exercise intervention, a 2-week exercise plus cognitive restructuring intervention, or a waitlist control condition. Assessment of outcome was completed at pretreatment, midtreatment, 1-week posttreatment, and 3-week follow-up. RESULTS: We found that both exercise conditions led to clinically significant changes in anxiety sensitivity that were superior to the waitlist condition, representing a large controlled effect size (d=2.15). Adding a cognitive component did not facilitate the effects of the exercise intervention. Consistent with hypotheses, changes in anxiety sensitivity mediated the beneficial effects of exercise on anxious and depressed mood. CONCLUSIONS: We discuss these findings in terms of the potential role of exercise as an additional psychosocial intervention for conditions such as panic disorder, where anxiety sensitivity is a prominent component of pathology.
Smits et al. (Fri,) conducted a rct in elevated levels of anxiety sensitivity (n=60). Exercise intervention (with or without cognitive restructuring) vs. Waitlist control was evaluated on Changes in anxiety sensitivity (d=2.15). A 2-week exercise intervention, with or without cognitive restructuring, significantly reduced anxiety sensitivity compared to a waitlist control (d=2.15).