Mind-body therapy and exercise showed psychological benefits in COPD, with low-certainty evidence
In people with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a trial review favored mind-body therapy and exercise over controls for anxiety and depression. Low evidence certainty limits confidence in the reported ranking.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Mind-body therapy and exercise each showed better anxiety and depression scores than control groups in this review of people with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Mind-body therapy ranked highest, but the authors judged the evidence to have low certainty. The ranking should therefore remain provisional rather than establish a dependable best intervention for an individual patient.
The authors reported low evidence certainty and possible publication bias, meaning the available studies may provide an incomplete picture. The abstract does not describe follow-up durations or the contents of the broad intervention categories.
What improved in the comparisons
Both mind-body therapy and exercise favored anxiety and depression outcomes compared with controls. An approach addressing biological, psychological, and social factors also favored anxiety. The abstract reports standardized score differences, rather than absolute changes on a named symptom scale.
A ranking carries uncertainty
The analysis ranked mind-body therapy ahead of exercise, but ranking probabilities do not establish reliable superiority for every comparison. The authors' low-certainty assessment and concern about publication bias are essential qualifications to the apparent ordering of interventions.
The original publication
Efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions on psychological well-being in stable COPD: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.
Xue Y, Tang K, Liu H et al.
J Psychosom Res · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40682982
- Record checked
AI-assisted research and writing. This explains one selected publication; it is not a complete review of everything known. Our approach.
One more question, understood.
Keep track of the research you’ve explored.