title: Impact of expectations on the effects of exercise on psychological distress.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the influence of expectations on effectiveness of exercise in reducing psychological distress.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data came from a Swedish longitudinal population-based study consisting of 4631 people aged 20-64 years. Psychological distress was measured with the Major Depressive Inventory. Expectations (positive expectations or indifference) towards exercise were combined with exercise (regular exercise: yes or no).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Indifferent non-exercisers had increased risk of psychological distress. Regular exercisers who were indifferent towards exercise as a self-help method were less likely to be psychologically distressed compared to exercisers with positive expectations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results encourage systematic use of exercise in prevention and rehabilitation of persons suffering from psychological distress. People's personal expectations might not be needed for treatment effect.
authors.affiliation: Karolinska Institutet, Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden. bjorg.helgadottir@ki.se.
authors.forename: Björg
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Helgadóttir
authors.affiliation: The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Örjan
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Ekblom
authors.affiliation: Karolinska Institutet, Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Forsell
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013548:Sweden; D055815:Young Adult