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. 2014 Nov 28;45(4):497–504. doi: 10.1007/s40279-014-0291-6

Table 1.

Outcomes of studies assessing the influence of exercise on mental health for women with PCOS

Study Design N Population (values are mean ± SD) Measures Intervention duration Intervention(s) Psychological outcomes
Lifestyle interventions: diet and exercise
Galletly et al. [40] RCT 28

Overweight females with PCOS

HPLC: age 33.0 ± 1.2 years

BMI 37.6 ± 6.4 kg/m2

LPHC: age 32.0 ± 1.2 years

BMI 37.2 ± 6.9 kg/m2

HADS

Rosenberg Self Esteem Rating Scale

12 weeks

Two energy-restricted diets (6,000 kJ/day) + one exercise training per week (brisk walking and aerobic and stretching exercises)

4 weeks maintenance diet

HPLC diet: n = 14, DO: 2

LPHC diet: n = 14, DO: 1

Depressive symptoms decreased (p < 0.01) and self-esteem increased (p < 0.05) in HPLC group. No significant change in anxiety in either group
Thomson et al. [37] RCT 94

Obese females with PCOS (relatively high depressive symptoms and impaired HRQoL)

Age 29.3 ± 0.7 years

BMI 36.1 ± 0.5 kg/m2

CES-D

PCOSQ

20 weeks

Diet and aerobic exercise (n = 31, DO: 16), 5/week walking/jogging

Diet and combined aerobic–resistance exercise (n = 33, DO: 13): 3/week walking/jogging + 2/week strength training

Diet (n = 30, DO: 16): 6,000 kJ/day energy-restricted high-protein meal plan

All groups improved in all PCOS-specific HRQoL scores, except for body hair domain score. Clinically significant improvements in emotion, body weight and menstrual problems (d > 0.5)
Exercise and medicine
Harris-Glocker et al. [43] RCT 36

Obese, adolescent females with PCOS

Age range: 12–18 years

BMI 34.8 kg/m2

PCOSQ 6 months

MET group: Oral contraceptive with metformin + motivation + diet + exercise (weekly, 60-min group exercise)

PBO group: Placebo + motivation + diet + exercise (weekly, 60-min group exercise)

PCOSQ total scores significantly improved in both groups, across all domains, between baseline and conclusion. No significant difference between the groups
Ladson et al. [41] RCT 22

Obese, adolescent females with PCOS

MET group: age 16.1 ± 1.5 years

BMI 37.1 ± 5.8 kg/m2

PBO group: age 15.4 ± 1.2 years

BMI 35.9 ± 6.6 kg/m2

PCOSQ 6 months

MET group (n = 11, DO: 1): metformin + 150 min/week of exercise + low-calorie diet

PBO group (n = 11, DO: 3): placebo + 150 min/week of exercise + low-calorie diet

Improvements in overall quality of life in both groups (data not reported)
Ladson et al. [42] RCT 114

Obese females with PCOS

MET group: age 29.0 ± 4.5 years

BMI 38.0 ± 7.8 kg/m2

PBO group: age 28.8 ± 4.6 years

BMI 38.3 ± 8.0 kg/m2

PCOSQ 6 months

MET group (n = 55, DO: 33): metformin + low-calorie diet + 150 min/week of exercise

PBO group (n = 59, DO: 43): placebo + low-calorie diet + 150 min/week of exercise

Non-significant improvements in domains of quality of life (weight and emotion only) for both groups
Other interventions
Nidhi et al. [39] RCT 90

Healthy adolescent females with PCOS

Exercise: age 16.2 ± 0.9 years

BMI 21.2 ± 3.0 kg/m2

Yoga: age 16.2 ± 1.1 years

BMI 20.3 ± 1.9 kg/m2

STAI 12 weeks

Typical exercise (n = 45, DO: 10): 1 h/day

Traditional yoga (n = 45, DO: 8): 1 h/day

Both groups significantly decreased state and trait anxiety over the intervention. Yoga group decreased trait anxiety more than exercise group
Stener-Victorin et al. [38] RCT 72

Females with PCOS

Age 29.9 ± 4.4 years

BMI = 28.1 ± 7.4 kg/m2

BSA-S

MADRS

PCOSQ

SF-36

16 weeks

Exercise (n = 29): 3/week for 16 weeks, self-selected, more than 30 min

Acupuncture (n = 28): 2/week for 2 weeks + 1/week for 14 weeks

Controls (n = 15): oral information about exercise, no intervention

Exercise: Role physical significantly decreased, Emotions and infertility (PCOSQ) significantly increased

Acupuncture: Role physical, social function, energy/vitality, general health perception, mental component, emotions (PCOSQ) significantly increased

Controls: Emotions, weight, menstruation (PCOSQ) significantly increased

Between-group change: Acupuncture significantly increased role physical

BMI body mass index, BSA-S Brief Scale for Anxiety, CES-D depression scores from the Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale, DO drop out, HADS Hospital Anxiety and Depression Rating Scale, HPLC high protein, low carbohydrate diet condition, HRQoL health-related quality of life, LPHC low protein, high carbohydrate diet condition, MADRS Montgomery Asberg Depressing Rating Scale, MET metformin, PBO placebo group, PCOS polycystic ovary syndrome, PCOSQ Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Questionnaire, RCT randomized controlled trial, SF-36 Short Form 36, STAI State-trait Anxiety Inventory