Exercise to reduce anxiety and depression in people with intellectual disabilities

People with intellectual disabilities (ID) are often reported as having high anxiety states and depressive symptoms that can compromise daily living functions. Although positive effects of exercise on anxiety and depressive symptoms have been reported among general population and in clinically defined groups, research is scant concerning the role of exercise on mental health in ID people. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a short term exercise programme on anxiety states and depressive symptoms in a group of adults with ID. Twenty-seven people with a mild to moderate ID (age = 40.1 ± 6.2 years; men = 16, women = 11) were randomly assigned to an exercise (n = 14) or a control group (n = 13). The exercise group participated in a 12-week exercise programme and the control group in a painting activities programme, both with a frequency of 2 times per week, 1 hour per session. Participants filled in the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory form Y, the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale as adapted for individuals with ID. Questionnaires were administered before to enter the study, after 6 weeks and at the end of the intervention. ANOVAs for repeated measures reported anxiety and depressive scores significantly lower (p < .001) in the exercise group over time compared with those of the control group. Results seem to support the positive effect of a short term exercise programme in improving mental health in persons with ID.