Percentage (frequency) of total reviewed studies that showed beneficial effects of physical activity (PA)/exercise interventions compared with a control intervention
| Comparison group | Depression symptoms | Anxiety symptoms | Stress | Mood states |
| Compared with a non-PA/exercise control group | 50% (n=3 out of 6)42 46 52 | 16% (n=1 out of 6)52 | 33% (n=1 out of 3)61 | 100% (n=3 out of 3)52 61 83 |
| Compared with a wait-list or no intervention | 45% (n=5 out of 11)38 39 53 54 57 | 66% (n=4 out of 6)38 47 57 59 | 66% (4 out of 6)38 45 57 61 | 50% (n=1 out of 2)83 |
| Compared with a second PA/exercise intervention | 66.6% (n=2 out of 3)35 55 | 50% (n=1 out of 2)40 | 0% (n=0 out of 2) | 100% (n=2 out of 2)43 44 |