Anika Frühauf1, Kathrin Sevecke2, Martin Kopp3. 1. Institut für Sportwissenschaft, Universität Innsbruck, Fürstenweg 185, 6020, Innsbruck, Österreich. anika.fruehauf@uibk.ac.at. 2. Universitätsklinik für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik im Kindes- und Jugendalter, Innsbruck, Österreich. 3. Institut für Sportwissenschaft, Universität Innsbruck, Fürstenweg 185, 6020, Innsbruck, Österreich.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Therapeutic Climbing is applied in physiological as well as in psychological rehabilitation programs. Systematic reviews have been conducted, evaluating the physiological effects of therapeutic climbing. The aim of the following article is a review on existing literature about the psychological effects of climbing therapy. METHODS: We searched the databases of PubMed, Scholar and ScienceDirect up to December 2017 in German and English language. Trials were included if they assessed psychological variables in climbing interventions. RESULTS: Seven articles were included in the following review. Effectiveness of climbing therapy was studied in a) adult inpatients with mental disorders (n = 3), b) adult outpatients with mental disorders (n = 1), c) children with motoric deficits and disabilities (n = 2), d) healthy adults (n = 1). All trials had major methodological limitations. Control groups if present, were defined differently. Three trials assessed self-efficacy and revealed enhanced self-efficacy after the climbing intervention. No psychological differences were seen between aerobic exercise and climbing therapy in healthy adults. Acute positive affective changes were seen in in-patients with major depressive disorders after a climbing session compared to a relaxation session. CONCLUSION: The effectiveness of climbing therapy on psychological outcomes remains unclear. Limited evidence with varying age groups (children and adults) and a high risk of bias shows enhanced self-efficacy through climbing therapy. There is a need for further studies in children and adults on psychological outcomes through climbing therapy, especially in comparison with aerobic activity interventions.
BACKGROUND: Therapeutic Climbing is applied in physiological as well as in psychological rehabilitation programs. Systematic reviews have been conducted, evaluating the physiological effects of therapeutic climbing. The aim of the following article is a review on existing literature about the psychological effects of climbing therapy. METHODS: We searched the databases of PubMed, Scholar and ScienceDirect up to December 2017 in German and English language. Trials were included if they assessed psychological variables in climbing interventions. RESULTS: Seven articles were included in the following review. Effectiveness of climbing therapy was studied in a) adult inpatients with mental disorders (n = 3), b) adult outpatients with mental disorders (n = 1), c) children with motoric deficits and disabilities (n = 2), d) healthy adults (n = 1). All trials had major methodological limitations. Control groups if present, were defined differently. Three trials assessed self-efficacy and revealed enhanced self-efficacy after the climbing intervention. No psychological differences were seen between aerobic exercise and climbing therapy in healthy adults. Acute positive affective changes were seen in in-patients with major depressive disorders after a climbing session compared to a relaxation session. CONCLUSION: The effectiveness of climbing therapy on psychological outcomes remains unclear. Limited evidence with varying age groups (children and adults) and a high risk of bias shows enhanced self-efficacy through climbing therapy. There is a need for further studies in children and adults on psychological outcomes through climbing therapy, especially in comparison with aerobic activity interventions.
Authors: Carina S Bichler; Martin Niedermeier; Katharina Hüfner; Mátyás Gálffy; Barbara Sperner-Unterweger; Martin Kopp Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2022-06-09 Impact factor: 5.435
Authors: Lisa Thaller; Anika Frühauf; Alexander Heimbeck; Ulrich Voderholzer; Martin Kopp Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-06-01 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Carina S Bichler; Martin Niedermeier; Katharina Hüfner; Mátyás Gálffy; Johanna M Gostner; Philipp Nelles; Stefanie E Schöttl; Barbara Sperner-Unterweger; Martin Kopp Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-09-15 Impact factor: 4.614