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European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

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Open Access 01-08-2019 | Original Paper

The effect of physical activity in an alpine environment on quality of life is mediated by resilience in patients with psychosomatic disorders and healthy controls

Authors: Cornelia Ower, Georg Kemmler, Theresa Vill, Caroline Martini, Andrea Schmitt, Barbara Sperner-Unterweger, Katharina Hüfner

Published in: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience | Issue 5/2019

Abstract

Objective

Physical activity (PA) in an outdoor environment has been shown to exert positive effects on mental well-being beyond those found for PA indoors. The specific effect of an alpine environment has not been investigated so far. Here we evaluate the association of PA in an alpine environment with resilience and quality of life (QOL) in patients with psychosomatic disorders and controls.

Methods

194 patients with psychosomatic disorders (mostly somatoform disorder and major depressive syndrome) and 326 healthy controls were included in this web-based cross-sectional study. PA was scored using an adapted version of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire including the environmental aspect (indoor, outdoor, alpine environment). Resilience was assessed using the Resilience Scale-13, QOL using the WHOQOL-BREF. Group comparisons, correlation and mediation analyses were performed.

Results

Patients showed significantly lower levels of resilience (p < 0.001) and QOL (p < 0.001) compared to controls. PA in an alpine environment was associated with resilience (patients: r = 0.35, p < 0.001; controls r = 0.18, p < 0.001). There were no significant associations between PA in other environments (outdoor or indoor) and resilience. PA in all three environments correlated with subcategories of QOL. The effect of PA in an alpine environment on QOL was partly mediated by resilience in patients (68% of total effect mediated, p < 0.001) and controls (49% mediated, p = 0.006).

Conclusion

There is a positive effect of PA in an alpine environment on mental health beyond that of physical activity itself. Preventive and therapeutic programs should thus include physical activity, but also take additional benefits of natural environments into account.

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Title: The effect of physical activity in an alpine environment on quality of life is mediated by resilience in patients with psychosomatic disorders and healthy controls
Authors: Cornelia Ower
Georg Kemmler
Theresa Vill
Caroline Martini
Andrea Schmitt
Barbara Sperner-Unterweger
Katharina Hüfner
Publication date: 01-08-2019
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience / Issue 5/2019
Print ISSN: 0940-1334
Electronic ISSN: 1433-8491
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-018-0930-2

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

The effect of physical activity in an alpine environment on quality of life is mediated by resilience in patients with psychosomatic disorders and healthy controls

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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