Regular exercise can significantly reduce anxiety related to chronic illness, according to a new study.

According to the study by the University of Georgia in the US, researchers analysed the results of 40 randomised clinical trials involving nearly 3,000 patients with a variety of medical conditions.

They found that on average patients who exercised regularly reported a 20 per cent reduction in anxiety symptoms compared to those who did not exercise.

“Our findings add to the growing body of evidence that physical activities such as walking or weightlifting may turn out to be the best medicine that physicians can prescribe to help their patients feel less anxious,” said lead author Matthew Herring, a doctoral student in the department of kinesiology.

Exercise sessions of more than 30 minutes were found to be more effective at reducing anxiety that sessions of less than 30 minutes, but programmes with a duration of between three and 12 weeks appear to be more effective than those lasting more than 12 weeks.