Boulderpsychotherapie gegen Depressionen: Erstmalige Analyse physiologischer Effekte

Zusammenfassung

Boulderpsychotherapie (BPT) ist ein innovatives Gruppentherapieformat, das psychotherapeutische Interventionen mit erfahrungsorientierter Aktivität an der Boulderwand verbindet. Randomisierte kontrollierte Studien (RCTs) belegen die antidepressive Wirksamkeit, mindestens gleichwertig zur gruppenbasierten kognitiven Verhaltenstherapie (KVT). Bislang nicht erforscht ist jedoch, ob BPT auch objektiv messbare körperliche Veränderungen bewirkt. In dieser Studie wurden erstmals physiologische Parameter erhoben und mit der kognitiv ausgerichteten Important Non-Urgent Therapie (INU-T) sowie einer Kontrollgruppe (KG) verglichen. Bei 128 Teilnehmenden wurden Greifkraft, Körperzusammensetzung (Body Mass Index (BMI), Körperfett- und Muskelanteil) sowie Rumpfausdauer (ventral, lateral und dorsal) gemessen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass ausschließlich die laterale Rumpfausdauer sich in der BPT signifikant stärker verbesserte als in INU-T und KG. Für alle anderen Parameter zeigten sich keine signifikanten Zeit-Gruppen-Interaktionen. Insgesamt deuten die Ergebnisse darauf hin, dass die BPT zwar funktionelle körperliche Teilbereiche verbessern kann, eine umfassende somatische Anpassung über 10 Wochen jedoch ausbleibt. Die Ergebnisse leisten damit erste systematische Erkenntnisse über mögliche physiologische Begleiteffekte körperorientierter Psychotherapie. Für robustere somatische Veränderungen scheinen längere oder körperlich intensivere Module erforderlich. Künftige Forschung sollte weiterhin noch spezifischer psychische und physische Marker integrativ untersuchen, um zur Weiterentwicklung körperorientierter Therapieansätze beizutragen.

Abstract

Bouldering Psychotherapy (BPT) is an innovative group therapy format combining evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions with experiential physical activity on a bouldering wall. Randomized controlled studies (RCTs) have demonstrated its antidepressant efficacy, which is at least equivalent to that of classic group CBT. However, whether BPT elicits objectively measurable physiological changes is unknown. In the present study, physiological parameters were collected for the first time and compared with the cognitively oriented Important Non-Urgent Therapy (INU-T) and a control group (CG). Grip strength, body composition (body mass index (BMI), fat and muscle mass), and core endurance (ventral, lateral and dorsal) were measured in 128 participants. The results show that only lateral trunk endurance improved significantly more in BPT than in INU-T and CG. No significant time-group interactions were found for any of the other parameters. Overall, the results suggest that although BPT can improve functional physical sub-areas, broad somatic adaptation over 10 weeks does not occur. The results thus provide initial systematic insights into possible physiological effects of body-oriented psychotherapy. Longer or more physically intensive modules appear to be necessary for more robust somatic changes. Future research should continue to investigate specific psychological and physical markers in an integrative manner in order to contribute to the further development of embodied therapy approaches.

Schlüsselwörter

Depression - Gruppentherapie - Boulderpsychotherapie - körperliche Parameter - Klettern - Rumpfausdauer

Keywords

depression - group psychotherapy - Bouldering Psychotherapy - physical outcomes - climbing - core endurance

Publication History

Article published online:
11 February 2026

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