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

Abstract

Background: The 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. Methods: A 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. Results: The 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. Conclusion: The current preliminary review revealed potential benefits of at-home interventions that had children and adolescents exercise along with a video in improving anxiety.