Browsing by Author "LeBouthillier, Daniel Marc"

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    Can a Single Bout of Aerobic Exercise Reduce Anxiety Sensitivity? A Randomized Controlled Trial
    (Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina, 2014-07) LeBouthillier, Daniel Marc; Asmundson, Gordon J.G.; Carleton, R. Nicholas; Klest, Bridget; Watt, Margo C.
    A growing body of research supports the benefits of exercise for a variety of mental disorders, including anxiety. Several mechanisms have been posited for the anxiolytic effects of exercise, including reductions in anxiety sensitivity (i.e., fear of arousalrelated sensations, based on the beliefs that these sensations may have harmful or negative consequences) through exposure to these feared bodily sensations. Studies on aerobic exercise lend support to this hypothesis; however, research comparing exercise to placebo controls and evidence for the dose-response relationship between exercise and reductions in anxiety sensitivity are lacking. The present trial was designed to investigate reductions in anxiety sensitivity following a single session of exercise. A total of 41 participants were randomized to complete either a 20-minute session of aerobic exercise or a placebo stretching control. Anxiety sensitivity was measured at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at approximately 3-day and 7-day followup using the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3). Individuals in the aerobic exercise group experienced significant decreases in ASI-3 Total and on the Cognitive Concerns and Social Concerns dimensions from baseline to 3-day follow-up and on all four dimensions of anxiety sensitivity at 7-day follow-up. Individuals in the control group had increases in ASI-3 Total and Social Concerns scores from baseline to posttreatment, 3-day follow-up, and 7-day follow-up. Clinically significant change in ASI-3 Total scores was observed in several individuals in the aerobic exercise group, but not in the control group. The present trial included individuals with a wide range of anxiety sensitivity severity and the results suggest that reductions in anxiety sensitivity following aerobic exercise are not exclusive to individuals with high levels of the trait. Additionally, the magnitude of reduction in anxiety sensitivity did not vary according to individuals’ level of the trait at baseline. The results of the present trial have important implications for aerobic exercise as a potential adjunct to or temporary substitute for psychotherapy aimed at reducing anxiety.
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    The Efficacy of Aerobic Exercise and Resistance Training for Anxiety-Related Disorders and Constructs: A Randomized Controlled Trial
    (Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina, 2017-07) LeBouthillier, Daniel Marc; Asmundson, Gordon J.G.; Wright, Kristi; Carleton, Nick; Candow, Darren; Stewart, Sherry
    Anxiety-related disorders are highly prevalent and comorbid, affecting nearly one third of individuals over their lifetime. Evidence suggests that anxiety-related disorders share common etiology, latent structure, higher-order dimensions, and response to treatment. These similarities have fostered the development of transdiagnostic treatments that can effectively target a relatively wide array of anxiety-related psychopathological concerns and can also be widely and efficiently disseminated to individuals in need treatment. There is empirical evidence to support the use of physical activity, primarily aerobic exercise, as an effective intervention to treat a variety of mental health concerns; however, what effect exercise has on anxiety-related disorders and constructs (e.g., anxiety sensitivity) using an integrative, transdiagnostic approach is unknown. Therefore, the purposes of the current trial were: (1) to quantify the effects of aerobic exercise and resistance training on symptoms of anxiety-related disorders and constructs, (2) to evaluate whether both modalities of exercise were equally efficacious in reducing such symptoms, and (3) to determine whether exercise enjoyment and pre-intervention physical fitness were associated with symptom reduction. A total of 48 individuals with anxiety-related disorders were randomized to one of three conditions: aerobic exercise, resistance training, or a waitlist control. Symptoms of anxiety-related disorders, related constructs (i.e., general psychological distress, depression, anxiety, stress, anxiety sensitivity, distress tolerance, intolerance of uncertainty), and exercise enjoyment were assessed at pre-intervention and weekly during the 4-week intervention. Participants were further assessed 1-week and 1-month post-exercise. Both aerobic exercise and resistance training were efficacious in improving disorder status. Additionally, aerobic ii exercise was efficacious in improving general psychological distress and anxiety, while resistance training was efficacious in improving disorder-specific symptoms, anxiety sensitivity, distress tolerance, and intolerance of uncertainty. For both types of exercise, lower pre-intervention physical fitness was associated with greater reductions in general psychological distress. For aerobic exercise, lower physical fitness was also associated with greater reductions in stress. Scores at follow-up were generally not significantly different when compared to post-intervention. Results highlight the efficacy of aerobic exercise and resistance training in uniquely addressing anxiety-related disorder symptoms and constructs. Keywords: randomized controlled trial; transdiagnostic; anxiety disorders; aerobic exercise; resistance training