Climbing therapy appears feasible, but depression benefits remain uncertain
A small, uncontrolled programme had strong attendance and no reported serious adverse events, while changes in depression and other psychological measures were mixed.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The main question was whether people with moderate or more severe depression could take part in the climbing programme. Most completed it, and no serious adverse events were reported. Depression results differed across the measures used, and the uncontrolled design leaves any treatment benefit uncertain.
This abstract describes a small, uncontrolled study, so it cannot establish that climbing caused symptom changes. No serious adverse events were reported, but this sample cannot establish safety for a wider population.
What researchers found
Participants completing the programme
By the end of the 10-week programme, relative to all enrolled participants; there was no control group.
Feasibility was the main question
Researchers assessed retention, attendance, acceptability and tolerability. Interviews with participants and facilitators highlighted achievement, confidence and social connectedness, adding accounts of the experience alongside the questionnaire results and programme participation measures.
Symptom results were mixed
Depression scores improved on the Montgomery–Åsberg scale, as did positive mood and confidence in personal abilities. Changes on another depression questionnaire, anxiety, negative mood and perceived stress were not statistically significant.
The original publication
Climbing high: a mixed-methods feasibility study of climbing therapy for major depressive disorder in Ireland.
O'Connor S, O'Reilly A, Macpherson A et al.
Ir J Psychol Med · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41877642
- Record checked
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