SynthesisBMC psychiatry2025
Effectiveness of indoor rock climbing and bouldering as treatment for depression - a systematic review.
Synthesis in BMC psychiatry, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
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Who cites it
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Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionDepression is one of the most prevalent disorders worldwide. In addition to psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and antidepressants, exercise therapy is frequently recommended, with emerging evidence highlighting the unique characteristics of rock climbing, including its potential to promote mindfulness, making it a promising therapy. This review aimed to assess whether rock climbing reduces symptoms of depression, the magnitude of effect, and whether effects are sustained long-term.
methodsSystematic review conducted according to PICO framework and reported according to PRISMA-statement. Eligible studies were controlled trials assessing indoor rock climbing versus any comparator, including adults with moderate depression, with symptoms reduction on validated depression scales as outcome. Systematic searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (inception to January 2025), with no language or publication date restrictions. Screening (via Rayyan), data extraction, and methodological quality assessment (using PEDro scale) were performed independently and in duplicate. Clinical relevance was assessed using minimal clinically important difference (MCID). Due to heterogeneity of interventions and comparators, findings were narratively synthesized. Certainty of evidence was rated using GRADE.
resultsOut of 1,832 identified records, seven studies (reported in 10 articles) including 471 participants, met PICO-criteria. Included studies were conducted between 2015 and 2023, in Germany/Austria. Methodological quality was generally good (median PEDro score 6/10). Indoor bouldering (combined with mindfulness exercises) significantly reduced symptoms of depression from moderate to mild (e.g. -8.3 points on MADRS, exceeding MCID of 5 points), indicating a clinically meaningful improvement compared to no intervention (high certainty evidence). Longer duration interventions (8-10 weeks) were needed for effects to persist at 6-12 months (high certainty evidence). Four weeks of top-rope climbing also reduced symptoms of depression from moderate to mild, were sustained long-term, but did not exceed MCID (low certainty evidence). No adverse events were reported.
conclusionsIndoor rock climbing, particularly bouldering (combined with mindfulness exercises), appears to be an effective, clinically meaningful, safe, and sustainable adjunctive intervention for adults with moderate depression. However, further high-quality trials are needed to isolate the effects of rock climbing from co-interventions and to compare it with established treatments such as antidepressants and aerobic exercise.
trial registrationPROSPERO: CRD42024468119, date of registration: 24-01-2024.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.