Physical activity, anxiety, and depression in workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: systematic review and meta-analysis

Mental health in long covid: prevalence and characteristics associated with depression, anxiety and stress

Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression Among Patients in a Palliative Care Setting During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Cross-Sectional Study

Background COVID-19 is a new disease with high transmission and mortality rates and can cause or exacerbate a myriad of psychological sequelae, particularly in patients with underlying serious illness. Palliative care patients’ experiences have been widely studied, but research on their experiences during COVID-19 pandemic is scanty. Aim To determine the prevalence of and factors associated with anxiety and depression among palliative care patients and explore palliative care patients’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods This cross-sectional mixed-methods study used the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and face-to-face audio-recorded interviews to collect data from participants between April and May, 2022. Quantitative data were analysed using STATA v.17. Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were performed to examine factors associated with depression and anxiety. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Of the 96 participants, 74% (n=71) were female. Patients who earned ≥100,000 Ugandan shillings (OR=0.18, p=0.026, CI 0.040–0.818) had lower odds of depression compared to patients who earned less, while patients who missed clinic appointment sometimes (OR=26.02, P=0.025, CI 1.503–450.226) and those who reported change in sleep pattern (OR=15.91, p=001, CI 3.030–83.567) had higher odds of depression. Male participants had lower odds of anxiety (OR=7.93, p=0.003, CI 2.004–31.370) while those who missed medicines very often (OR=6.79, p=0.024, CI 1.288–35.852) and those who reported change in sleep pattern (OR=10.21, p=0.000, CI 2.790–37.393) showed higher odds of anxiety. Three main themes emerged from the qualitative interviews: (1) Navigating multidimensional suffering before and during a pandemic, (2) the healthcare system as a precipitant of suffering, and (3) finding hope and meaning amidst uncertainty and suffering. Conclusion Mental health morbidities were great in this cohort, occurring in a multifaceted manner, with disruptions to the psychological, social, financial, and physical dimensions of patients’ quality of life. Palliative care continuity and mental health, psychosocial and spiritual support services should be integrated into humanitarian emergency health care package in future outbreaks.

The role of physical activity in shaping the relationship between alcohol use and anxiety and depression symptoms: Findings from a U.S. nationwide cohort

Among healthier adults, physical activity modified the association between moderate alcohol use and symptoms of anxiety or depression on additive and multiplicative scales, suggesting sedentary behavior may amplify mental health vulnerability associated with moderate drinking.

Physical activity as a protective factor for insomnia: systematic review, meta-analysis, and quality assessment of observational studies

Background While meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials have demonstrated the therapeutic effects of physical activity (PA) on insomnia, the real-world associations between different levels and domains of PA and insomnia symptoms remain unclear. We aimed to examine these associations in the general population. Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, APA PsycINFO, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library up to 5 August 2024, including studies that examined the association between PA and insomnia symptoms in the general population. We calculated pooled effect sizes using a random-effects model and performed subgroup analyses by PA intensity and domain. We assessed publication bias using funnel plots. Results We included 27 risk estimates. Compared with low PA, high PA was not significantly associated with insomnia risk (odds ratio (OR) = 0.96; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.85–1.09). Moderate PA was associated with a 7% lower risk of insomnia (OR = 0.93; 95% CI = 0.87–1.00). Subgroup analyses showed significant variation across activity domains, with occupational PA associated with a 21% higher risk of insomnia (OR = 1.21; 95% CI = 1.02–1.43). There was no evidence of publication bias. Conclusions Moderate levels of PA are associated with a modest reduction in insomnia risk, whereas occupational PA may increase the risk. These findings highlight the importance of considering both the intensity and domain of PA in relation to sleep health. Registration PROSPERO: CRD42023417826.

Association between purpose in life and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in community-dwelling older adults: FAPRE study data

PIL in older adults was negatively associated with elevated symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, even after controlling for sociodemographic variables and subjective health perception, underscore the need for integrated strategies to promote mental health and purpose in life in aging populations.

Patient-reported outcome measures for depression or anxiety symptoms in patients with cardiovascular disease: A COSMIN systematic review.

BACKGROUND Depression and anxiety are common in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the measurement quality of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) used in this population remains unclear. This review aimed to evaluate the methodological quality, measurement properties, and certainty of evidence for depression and anxiety PROMs in adults with CVD and to inform instrument selection. METHODS Following COSMIN and PRISMA guidance, four databases were searched from inception to February 2026. Studies assessing measurement properties of PROMs in adults with CVD were included. Methodological quality was evaluated using the COSMIN Risk of Bias checklist, and certainty of evidence was graded using an adapted GRADE approach. RESULTS Sixty-six studies assessing 38 PROMs were included, comprising 29 generic and 9 CVD-specific instruments. Six PROMs met COSMIN Category A criteria: Cardiac Depression Scale-Short Form, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and Major Depression Inventory. Four instruments were classified as Category C because of insufficient structural validity. Content-validity evidence was largely indeterminate or of limited certainty. Only 24 studies used confirmatory factor analysis or Rasch analysis, and no study assessed measurement error or responsiveness. Cross-cultural validity evidence was scarce. CONCLUSIONS Six PROMs met Category A criteria, but selection should remain purpose- and context-specific. Particular attention should be given to somatic symptom overlap and intended clinical use. Further validation should prioritize content validity, measurement invariance, responsiveness, measurement error, and clinimetric performance.