Self-selected intensity exercise in the treatment of major depression: A pragmatic RCT

Objective. The purpose of the study was to determine the therapeutic effect of physical exercise for patients with unipolar depression. Participants took part in an 8-week walking/running aerobic exercise program at a local sports club. Methods. Forty-six outpatients aged 18-65 years and diagnosed w...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of psychiatry in clinical practice 2015-10, Vol.19 (4), p.266-275
Main Authors: Doose, Michael, Ziegenbein, Marc, Hoos, Olaf, Reim, Dominik, Stengert, Wojciech, Hoffer, Niklas, Vogel, Charlotte, Ziert, Yvonne, Sieberer, Marcel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aerobic exercise
depression
Depressive Disorder, Major - therapy
Exercise Therapy - methods
Female
Humans
intervention vs. wait list
Male
Middle Aged
non-clinical population
Outcome Assessment (Health Care)
pragmatic RCT
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Summary:Objective. The purpose of the study was to determine the therapeutic effect of physical exercise for patients with unipolar depression. Participants took part in an 8-week walking/running aerobic exercise program at a local sports club. Methods. Forty-six outpatients aged 18-65 years and diagnosed with mild to severe depression (ICD-10 criteria) were randomly assigned to an intervention group or wait list. Treatment as usual was continued. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD-17) served as the main outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures were Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Fitness Index (FI), and VO 2 max as estimated by Urho Kaleka Kekkonen or UKK 2-km Walk Test. Results. Out of forty-six participants, 24% dropped out. Participants attended 58% of exercise sessions. All randomized participants were included in intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis. Analysis of covariance or ANCOVA showed a large reduction of depressive symptoms in HRSD-17 scores (Cohen's d: 1.8; mean change 8.2, p < .0001). BDI-II (Cohen's d: 0.50; mean change: 4.7, p = 0.09), FI scores (Cohen's d: 0.27; mean change: 5.3, p = 0.08), and VO 2 max did not change significantly. Conclusions. We observed a large and clinically significant change in HRSD-17 scores. Moderate changes in BDI-II scores without clinical significance and small changes in physical fitness assessments were observed.
ISSN:1365-1501
1471-1788
DOI:10.3109/13651501.2015.1082599