ABSTRACT
Background: The prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress increased due to COVID 19 crises. Anxiety and depression are the most common psychiatric disorders. The goal of the current study was to compare the effects of aerobic training to cognitive behavioral therapy on university students suffering from mild to moderate anxiety and depression as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic. Methods: an online invitation to participate in the study was sent through the university system. Fifty four undergraduate students with mild to moderate anxiety and depression voluntarily participated in this study (mean age: 20.77 +/- 1.16) and assigned into two groups;aerobic training aerobic training and cognitive behavioral therapy. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale were used in an online assessment, performed before and after the treatment. For 8 weeks, an online treatment guide and follow-up were provided, with 5 days per week of AT and one session per week of CBT. Results: A significant improvement of DASS scores after treatment in both groups (p <= 0.001). IPAQ scores showed a significant improvement in GA and GB with non-significance in vigorous activities;category. GA showed a significant reduction of anxiety more than GB with a non-significant difference in stress and depression (p >= 0.05). Conclusions: In students with mild to moderate anxiety and depression, both AT and CBT are effective in improving manifestations of anxiety, depression, and stress following the COVID-19 pandemic. Aerobic exercise is more effective in treatment of anxiety.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: This study is an attempt to detect the psychological impact of (COVID-19) among Taif University students. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Taif University students using Google Forms questionnaire in the period from May to December 2020. The questionnaire was designed to assess psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic at the time of the lockdown and curfew. 619 participants age ranged from 18-30 years were eligible to participate in this study. This study was carried out using well-structured electronic questionnaire contain socio-demographic characteristics and psychological health parameters (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21)). Results: This study revealed a significant correlation between age and depression;age 18-21 years old showed higher frequency of mild to moderate and severe to very severe depression than age 22-30 years old (p>0.003). Similarly, there was a significant correlation between age and stress among participants;age 18-21 years old, showed higher frequency of severe to very severe stress and anxiety compared to aged 22-30 years (p > 0.05). On the other hand, there was no significant correlation between gender, nationality and marital status. Regarding the type of education, there was a significant correlation between medical students and depression (p > 0.06). Conclusion: According to the obtained results, it can be concluded that there was a significant association between age, depression and stress and non- significant relation between gender, nationality and marital status, while there was a significant correlation between medical students and depression.