March 4, 2010 â € ”Physical exercise would reduce anxiety created by pain and dysfunction associated with chronic diseases, such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis or fibromyalgia by 20%. This is what a large American survey reveals1.
These conclusions are drawn from an analysis of 40 studies, carried out among 2,914 people. In 90% of the studies analyzed, chronically ill patients who exercised at a rate of 3 sessions of more than 30 minutes per week reported an alleviation of worry, apprehension and nervousness. The activities required both endurance (jogging, walking, cycling, etc.) and physical strength (weight training).
The best effects were obtained when the workouts lasted more than 30 minutes and less than 12 weeks. The difficulty of persevering beyond this period could explain the disengagement of the participants and, consequently, the drop in results, explain the researchers.
The benefits of physical activity on symptoms of depression are well documented, the study authors point out. But the effects of sport on chronic disease anxiety had received little attention, they note. The diseases that were identified in include cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic pain related to arthritis, back pain, fibromyalgia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and multiple sclerosis.
Danny Raymond â € ”HealthPassport.net
1. Herring MP, O’Connor PJ, Dishman RK, The effect of exercise training on anxiety symptoms among patients, Arch Intern Med. 2010 Feb 22; 170 (4): 321-31.
