This two-site (Southern Methodist University (SMU) and Boston University (BU)) study aims to examine the effectiveness of exercise interventions for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). If effective, the use of exercise as a component of treatment for GAD would have a significant public health impact. In addition to improving GAD treatment outcome, exercise is expected to offer health benefits and promote further lifestyle changes. The present study involves the randomization of 52 adults with GAD to either a 12-week combined supervised- home-based moderate-intensity aerobic exercise protocol (EX) or a 12-week combined supervised- home-based stretching protocol (CTRL). The investigators hypothesize that participants in the EX intervention will evidence greater improvements in anxiety symptoms and quality of life relative to individuals receiving the control intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
10
BU Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Anxiety Research and Treatment Program, SMU Department of Psychology
Dallas, Texas, United States
Penn State worry Questionnaire
The PSWQ is a 16-item inventory designed to capture the generality, excessiveness, and uncontrollability of pathological worry. It has been shown to have good internal consistency with samples consisting of older adults with GAD
Time frame: changes from baseline to week 13
GAD-7
The GAD-7 is a self-reported questionnaire for screening and severity measurement of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The researchers conclude that the "GAD-7 is a valid and efficient tool" to screen for anxiety and to assess "its severity in clinical practice and research."
Time frame: changes from baseline to week 13
Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q)
This questionnaire rates 16 aspects of quality of life, including physical health, mood, activities of daily living, and overall life satisfaction. The Q-LES-Q will be used to examine changes in quality of life with treatment.
Time frame: changes from baseline to week 13
Clinical Global Impressions Improvement/Severity (CGI)
The CGI-I is a measure of global improvement rated from 1 (very much improved) to 7 (very much worse). The CGI-S measures global severity rated from 1 (not ill) to 7 (extremely ill).
Time frame: changes from baseline to week 13
Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)
The BAI is a commonly used 21-item, self-report inventory designed to measure severity of anxiety symptoms.
Time frame: changes from baseline to week 13
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
The BDI is a widely used 21-item, self-report inventory designed to measure severity of depressive symptoms.
Time frame: changes from baseline to week 13
Anxiety Sensitivity
Anxiety sensitivity was measured using the Anxiety Sensitivity Index a 16-item questionnaire designed to assess one's tendency to respond fearfully to anxiety-related symptoms. Data on the reliability and validity of the ASI scales have been favorable .
Time frame: changes from baseline to week 13
Social Physique Anxiety
The SPAS is a 7-item scale measuring individual anxiety regarding one's figure or physique.
Time frame: changes from baseline to week 13
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