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BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Aerobic training for improved memory in patients with stress-related exhaustion: a randomized controlled trial

Authors: Therese Eskilsson, Lisbeth Slunga Järvholm, Hanna Malmberg Gavelin, Anna Stigsdotter Neely, Carl-Johan Boraxbekk

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

Patients with stress-related exhaustion suffer from cognitive impairments, which often remain after psychological treatment or work place interventions. It is important to find effective treatments that can address this problem. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects on cognitive performance and psychological variables of a 12-week aerobic training program performed at a moderate-vigorous intensity for patients with exhaustion disorder who participated in a multimodal rehabilitation program.

Methods

In this open-label, parallel, randomized and controlled trial, 88 patients diagnosed with exhaustion disorder participated in a 24-week multimodal rehabilitation program. After 12 weeks in the program the patients were randomized to either a 12-week aerobic training intervention or to a control group with no additional training. Primary outcome measure was cognitive function, and secondary outcome measures were psychological health variables and aerobic capacity.

Results

In total, 51% patients in the aerobic training group and 78% patients in the control group completed the intervention period. The aerobic training group significantly improved in maximal oxygen uptake and episodic memory performance. No additional improvement in burnout, depression or anxiety was observed in the aerobic group compared with controls.

Conclusion

Aerobic training at a moderate-vigorous intensity within a multimodal rehabilitation program for patients with exhaustion disorder facilitated episodic memory. A future challenge would be the clinical implementation of aerobic training and methods to increase feasibility in this patient group.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03073772. Retrospectively registered 21 February 2017.
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Metadata
Title
Aerobic training for improved memory in patients with stress-related exhaustion: a randomized controlled trial
Authors
Therese Eskilsson
Lisbeth Slunga Järvholm
Hanna Malmberg Gavelin
Anna Stigsdotter Neely
Carl-Johan Boraxbekk
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-017-1457-1

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