Aerobic exercise training in children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease: Influence on psychological functioning, sleep and physical performance – An exploratory trial

Publication date: Available online 18 September 2017 Source:Mental Health and Physical Activity Author(s): Laura Mählmann, Markus Gerber, Raoul I. Furlano, Corinne Legeret, Nadeem Kalak, Edith Holsboer-Trachsler, Serge Brand People with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are at risk for mental health issues, poor sleep quality and limited engagement in physical activity (PA). Standard treatment consists of immune modulating pharmaceuticals though evidence is growing that aerobic exercise training (AET) could serve as an adjuvant option to reduce disease symptoms and improve mental health. The aim of the present exploratory trial study was to investigate possible AET effects on psychological functioning, symptoms of depression, sleep and physical activity in paediatric patients with IBD. Twenty-one paediatric patients with IBD and 23 gender- and age-matched healthy controls (HC) were assessed. The IBD group was further split into a “remission-group” (IBD-RE; n = 14) and an “active disease group” (IBD-AD; n = 7). All participants completed an 8-week AET exergame intervention reaching 60–80% of maximum heart rate for 5 days per week. At baseline and after 8 weeks, psychological functioning, depressive symptoms, objective sleep EEG, subjective sleep and objective and subjective PA were assessed. AET improved the exercise capacity of all participants. Self-reported fitness and daily physical activity increased in IBD-AD, but not in IBD-RE and HC. No improveme...
Source: Mental Health and Physical Activity - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research