The effectiveness of exercise programs accessible from home on children's and adolescents' emotional well-being: Systematic review & meta-analysis

BackgroundThe current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to explore the evidence base to date for exercise interventions/interventions that aim to increase physical activity using a modality that can be accessed from home (i.e., online or video-based programs), and its effects on anxiety and depression in children and adolescents.MethodsA broad search was conducted using six databases (PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsychINFO, ERIC and Scopus) on February 23, 2022. Studies with children or adolescents between the ages 5 and 18 years were included. Of the 2527 records that were identified, nine studies met the full-inclusion criteria. Their quality was assessed by two independent researchers using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2) and Quality Assessment Tool for Before-After (Pre-Post) Studies with No Control Group. Meta analyses were conducted for studies that specifically assessed anxiety and depression.ResultsThe overall results indicated that there is some evidence suggesting the positive effects of exercise interventions delivered online in reducing children's and adolescents' anxiety (d = -0.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.12 to -0.86). Meanwhile, there seems to be insufficient evidence for its efficacy in reducing low mood (d = -0.42; 95% CI: -0.84 to 0.01). Motivational and coaching based interventions to increase levels of physical activity may be limited in their efficacy, whilst having children exercise along with a video or live sessions online appears promising.ConclusionThe current preliminary review revealed potential benefits of at-home interventions that had children and adolescents exercise along with a video in improving anxiety. The positive effects of exercise in improving children's and adolescents' emotional well-being appears to be well-established. Much of the previous exercise interventions conducted were in group settings thus the effects of improved physical activity at home and its associated benefits were unknown. The current review identified exercise videos that are accessible online or through an app and online live sessions have the potential to improve anxiety in children and adolescents. image