One-year follow-up of a primary care-based 12-week exercise intervention for adults with anxiety disorders

While there is increasing evidence for the short-term effectiveness of exercise interventions for adults with anxiety disorders, follow-up studies are rare. The aim of this study was to examine whether the significant reductions in anxiety and depression symptoms observed in connection with our primary care-based 12-week exercise RCT were maintained at subsequent follow-up after nine-months. A further aim was to investigate the hypothesis whether exercise interacted with antidepressant medication. 113 out of 153 who completed the 12-week intervention completed the follow-up assessments. Symptoms were self-assessed with the Beck Anxiety Index (BAI) and the Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS-S) at baseline, intervention completion (the 12-weeks follow-up) and 9 months post-intervention (the 1-year follow up). The reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression effects seen after 12 weeks in the intervention groups were maintained at the 1-year follow-up. Similar reductions were seen in the control group. However, among antidepressant users, the odds ratios for the intervention group to reach improvement in anxiety were four-fold, and in depression, eleven-fold compared to controls at the 1-year follow-up. The results strengthen the view that physical exercise is an effective treatment for anxiety especially in among those with antidepressant treatment. • Follow-up studies of exercise trials for adults with anxiety disorders are rare. • Anxiety and depression relief lasts at 1-year follow-up post 12-week intervention. • The effects were particularly pronounced among those with antidepressant treatment. • Structured physical activity represents an effective treatment within primary care.