Table 5
Characteristics of the included studies: instruments and main results
| Author (year) | Instruments and measures | Results |
| Agne et al. (2022) | Accelerometer; graded exercise test on ergometer; 6RM strength test; SF-36; BMI; Anthropometry. | Improvements in quality of life in CG and SG, with larger effects in SG. The EG improved anthropometric differences without affecting skinfolds, body weight, or BMI. |
| Bakland et al. (2019) | Semi-structured interview. | Improvement in knowledge and in the application of PE and nutrition; positive evaluation of the support received during the intervention. |
| Bratland-Sanda and Vrabel (2018) | EDE-Q; SCL-5; BMI. | Significant reduction in EDE-Q and SCL-5 scores, and in exercise, along with an increase in BMI. |
| Bratland-Sanda et al. (2012) | EDE v12; EDI v2; accelerometer; Bruce treadmill protocol; 1RM test; body composition; BMI; DXA. | Patients with BMI < 18.5: increase in lower-body muscle strength, mean total body mass, fat mass, lean body mass, and BMI. Patients with BMI ≥ 18.5: increase in upper-body muscle strength, fat mass, and BMI. Positive correlation between BMI and the EDI subscales of body dissatisfaction and bulimia, and negative correlation with the EDE restraint subscale. |
| Bratland-Sanda et al. (2018) | EDE v16; CET; 1RM test (half squats and bench press); BMD; DXA; energy intake (kcal/day) and daily PA (min/week); questionnaire on the intervention. | Improvement in the 1RM test and in BMD, with self-perceived psychological benefits. No changes were observed in menstrual dysfunction, weight, EDE, or CET. |
| Brennan et al. (2020) | EDE-Q 6.0; DERS; FSCRS; SCS-SF; TMS; ATSPPH-SF. | Only the EG showed improvements in binge-eating episode frequency, emotion regulation difficulties, self-criticism, self-compassion, and the ability to achieve mindfulness. |
| Dauty et al. (2022) | BMI; muscle strength (knee, biceps and triceps brachii, and handgrip); Shirado-Ito test; Biering-Sorensen test; balance; 6MWT; spirometry; hip DXA. | Weight gain, BMI, fat mass (trunk, upper and lower limbs) and BMD parameters remain stable. Significant improvement in walking distance, balance, respiratory function, upper- and lower-limb strength, and trunk strength endurance. |
| Diers et al. (2020) | BSQ; 5 self-developed open-ended questions. | Improved BSQ scores, mixed responses on post-intervention self-perception of body image. |
| Fernández-del-Valle et al. (2015a) | 6RM test (bench press, leg press, and lateral row). ISAK anthropometry: BMI, TSF (mm), MTSF (mm), MUAC (cm), and MTC (cm); AMA (cm²) and MTMA (cm²) calculated using Heymsfield equations. | In the post-training phase, the EG was in higher percentile categories for MUAC and MTC compared with the CG, and AMA either increased or remained within the same range. |
| Fernández-del-Valle et al. (2015b) | 6RM test (bench press, leg press, and lateral row); body weight (kg); height (m); skinfolds: biceps, triceps, subscapular, and suprailiac (mm); thigh, arm, and calf circumferences (cm); BMI; Durnin equation (Bd); Heyward equation (%BF); Poortmans equation (SMM). | Increase in BMI, skeletal muscle mass and relative strength in EG. Increases in fat mass in the CG. The group effect was not significant for SMM, FM, or %BF. |
| Fernández-del-Valle et al. (2014) | Accelerometer; graded treadmill test; BMI; muscle strength (seated bench press, seated lateral row, seated leg press); 3-m and 10-m TUG; TUDS. | Significantly greater improvement in the EG compared with the CG after the intervention in leg press, bench press, and lateral row, as well as beneficial effects on agility. |
| Fisher and Schenkman (2012) | Musculoskeletal system: Upper/lower quartile screening, weight, height, BMI, numerical rating scale. Neuromuscular system: light sensitivity, AROM, observation Cardiopulmonary system: Cardiopulmonary system: BP, resting HR, activity HR, oxygen saturation. Integumentary system: ulcer identification. Cognitive system: orientation ×3. Others: blood glucose level, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry test; FIM, TUG(s), POMA, 3MWT. | Mean gain of 1.32 kg/week; recovery of independence in daily activities (improvements in FIM); improvements in POMA (postural stability Pre = 17; Post = 24), in TUG score (Pre = 19.27; Post = 11.00 s), and in walking speed (Pre = 0.35; Post = 0.81 m/s). |
| Galasso et al. (2018) | BMI; 6MWT | Non-significant greater reduction in BMI and 6MWT in the EG compared with the CG. |
| Galasso et al. (2020) | BMI; BES; BITE; 6MWT; ST. | Improvement in both CG and EG in anthropometric measures, ED symptoms, and exercise capacity. Significantly greater improvement in the EG compared with the CG |
| Lampe et al. (2022) | EDE-Q; EDE subscales: Shape Concern and Weight Concern; EMA; PANAS; accelerometer; item on weekly duration of moderate-to-vigorous PA. | Reduction in weight and shape concern, negative affect, and binge and compensatory/purging episodes. Weekly PE goals were not achieved, and perceived control over weight did not decrease. |
| Martin et al. (2017) | Sociodemographic questionnaire; physical examination; blood analysis (sex steroids and vitamin D); BMI. Measurement of vital signs every 4 hours; pulse and blood pressure at rest after 5 minutes of rest and after standing for 2 minutes. | Significantly greater reduction in VSS in the EG compared with the CG, but no differences in BSAP, NTX, osteocalcin, weight, or length of stay. |
| Martínez-Sánchez et al. (2020) | BIA; blood biochemical composition; accelerometer; ALPHA-Fitness Battery: handgrip strength, upper-body strength, standing long jump test, 4×10 m shuttle run test, 20 m shuttle run test. | After the program, height, plasma calcium, and sleep efficiency increased significantly, while plasma follicle-stimulating hormone, sleep duration, and nighttime disturbances decreased. Overall, no differences were detected in body composition. |
| Mathisen et al. (2018a)1 | Seca scale, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, fat mass, %fat mass, lean body mass, VAT, WHR, BMD; CRF; 1RM test: Smith machine squats, bench press, and seated cable row; categorization into high-risk groups for non-communicable disease if at least two of the three high-risk assessment categories are met: (1) elevated BMI, high body fat percentage, or masked obesity; (2) elevated VAT levels; and/or (3) low VO2peak. | Improvement in the EG compared with the CG (with moderate to large effect sizes) in mean absolute VO2peak, 1RM test for squat, bench press, and seated row, proximal femur BMD, and proximal femur BMD-Z. Body composition deteriorated in both groups during follow-up. Neither PED-t nor CBT reduced the risk of non-communicable diseases. |
| Mathisen et al. (2018b)2 | EDE-Q; CET; ActiGraph Accelerometer | Reduction in EG of CE from baseline, but no difference with CG. The proportion of participants meeting the official PA recommendation did not change or differ between groups after the intervention. |
| Vancampfort et al. 2014a) | EDE-Q; 6MWT; SF-36; BPA; PSPP | Significant improvement in all parameters (except occupational PA, physical strength, and self-esteem) after 6 months. Increased participation in sports activities (large effect size) and a reduction (small effect size) in the number of binge episodes, which was associated with significant improvements in quality of life. Significant increases in leisure-time PA (BPA) were associated with significant improvements in quality of life (SF-36) and increased perceived sport competence, physical condition, and body attractiveness. |
| Note. AG = android-to-gynoid fat mass ratio; ALPHA Fitness Battery = Assessing Levels of Physical Activity and Fitness; AMA = Arm Muscle Area; Anthropometry ISAK = Anthropometry following International Standards for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry; AROM = Active Range of Motion; ATSPPH-SF = Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help – Short Form; Bd = Body Density; BES = Binge Eating Scale; BIA = Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis; BITE = Bulimic Investigatory Test, Edinburgh; BMD = Bone Mineral Density; BMI = Body Mass Index; BP = Blood Pressure; BPA = Baecke Physical Activity Questionnaire; BSAP = Bone-Specific Alkaline Phosphatase; BSQ = Body Shape Questionnaire; CBT = Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; CE = Compulsive Exercise; CET = Compulsive Exercise Test; CRF = Cardiorespiratory Fitness; DERS = Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale; DXA = Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry; EDE v12 = Eating Disorder Examination v12; EDE v16 = Eating Disorder Examination v16; EDE-Q v6 = Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire v6.0; EDI = Eating Disorder Inventory v2; EMA = Ecological Momentary Assessment; FIM = Functional Independence Measure; FM = Fat Mass; FSCRS = Forms of Self-Criticizing/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale; HR = Heart Rate; MTMA = Mid-Thigh Muscle Area; MTC = Mid-Thigh Circumference; MTSF = Mid-Thigh Skinfold Thickness; MUAC = Mid-Upper Arm Circumference; NTX = Serum N-Telopeptide; PANAS = Positive and Negative Affect Schedule; PED-t = Physical Exercise and Dietary Therapy; POMA = Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment; PSPP = Physical Self-Perception Profile; SCL-5 = Symptom Checklist-5; SCS-SF = Self-Compassion Scale – Short Form; SF-36 = 36-Item Short Form Health Survey; SMM = Skeletal Muscle Mass; ST = Strength Test; TMS = Toronto Mindfulness Scale; TSF = Triceps Skinfold Thickness; TUDS = Timed Up and Down Stairs Test; TUG = Timed Up and Go Test; VAT = Visceral Adipose Tissue; VSS = Vital Signs Stable; 3MWT = 3 Minutes Walking Test; 6MWT = 6 Minutes Walking Test; %BF = relative body fat. | ||
