Physical Activity and Exercise as a Tool to Cure Anxiety and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

Anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are the most prevalent psychiatric conditions and significant public health problems. However, research has tended to support claims that engaging in physical activity (PA) has beneficial psychological effects. The objective of this review is to examine exercise and PA therapies as a kind of PTSD and anxiety treatment. Exercise has been shown in interventional trials to be both anxiolytic and antidepressive in healthy individuals. Exercise and PA therapies have a variety of benefits and varying degrees of efficacy in treating PTSD and anxiety symptoms. PA has been shown to promote physical health; psychological health and a growing body of studies indicate that PA and general health are associated with PTSD and anxiety. These findings led to recommendations for exercise interventions as a safe, efficient, and effective therapeutic option for treating anxiety and PTSD symptoms. Studies have not, however, demonstrated that they can lower anxiety to the same degree as psychotropic drugs. Additionally, the majority of published studies have significant methodological flaws, necessitating the need for additional research to determine the ideal exercise modalities, frequency, duration, and intensity for enhancing the beneficial benefits of exercise on anxiety and PTSD.