SynthesisFrontiers in psychology2026
Optimal exercise modality and dose to improve depression in children and adolescents: a systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Frontiers in psychology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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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.
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4 authors.
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Abstract
Objectives: To determine the comparative efficacy of different exercise interventions on depressive symptoms in children and adolescents and to explore the precise non-linear dose-response relationship using Bayesian model-based network meta-analysis. Methods: A systematic search of four major databases (PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Scopus) was conducted up to October 2024 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We employed pairwise, network, and dose-response meta-analyses to synthesize evidence regarding exercise modalities and dosage. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool. Results: A total of 26 RCTs involving 3,507 participants were included. Network meta-analysis revealed that Group Training (SMD = -1.58, 95% CI: -2.54 to -0.62) and Aerobic Exercise (SMD = -0.60, 95% CI: -1.10 to -0.10) were effective interventions for alleviating depressive symptoms. In contrast, no statistically significant effects were observed for Mixed Training or Mind-Body Exercise, and the evidence for these modalities remained inconclusive. Dose-response modeling indicated a nonlinear curvilinear pattern rather than evidence of symptom worsening at higher doses. The minimum dose associated with a statistically significant effect was 360 METs-min/week, the estimated peak benefit occurred at 660 METs-min/week, and the effect attenuated and became statistically uncertain beyond 980 METs-min/week. Conclusion: Group Training and Aerobic Exercise are the optimal intervention modalities, demonstrating high therapeutic potency and intervention efficiency, respectively. The identified therapeutic window (360-980 METs-min/week) supports a "low-dose initiation and moderation" prescription strategy. However, due to the heterogeneity of the included studies, these findings should be interpreted with caution, and future high-quality trials are warranted. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42024596771, Registration number: CRD42024596771.
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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.