Nouvelles des membres du Réseau Effect of a short bout of physical exercise on emotional regulation in adults with borderline personality disorder

Une présentation de Samuel St-Amour, lauréat du concours de soutien à la participation à des conférences internationale 2019-2020, donnée au International Society for the Study of Personality Disorder 2019 Congress, 5-18 octobre 2019, Vancouver, Canada

Co-auteurs: Cailhol L., Bernard P.

Résumé des auteurs

Physical exercise is an evidence-based strategy to improve symptoms and functioning in adults with severe mental disorders, such as mood disorders and schizophrenia. Recent experimental studies revealed that exercise may improve emotional regulation by decreasing negative affects in adults with and without severe mental illness. Since emotional dysregulation is a major component in borderline personality disorder (BPD), the benefits of exercise in this population may be important. However, no previous investigations have examined the effects of exercise for individuals with BPD. This study attempts to be the first to do so. 

This pilot study investigates whether a short bout of moderate intensity exercise reduces negative affects after a negative mood induction in adults with a diagnosis of BPD. Sixteen participants will be randomly assigned to either exercise or a neutral video for 20 minutes after the mood induction (validated video sequence). Self-reported affect (arousal and valence) are assessed prior and after the mood induction, as well as before the intervention, every 5 minutes during, and after it. Exercise group is believed to have a faster emotional recovery than control group. 

The current study will be the first examining the acute effects of physical exercise in adults with BPD. Recruitment will end in April 2019. The results might be promising on the benefits of physical activity on emotional regulation in adults with BPD. Moreover, it might elicit interest on this topic, so larger studies can be developed to address this issue with more power.