Exercise and severe depression: Preliminary results of an add-on study

Background: Physical exercise has been extensively researched as a therapeutic option for treatment of major depression. Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, we analyze the effects of aerobic physical exercise as an add-on strategy for treatment of severe depressed inpatients. The exercise has a Dose of 16.5 kcal/kg/week, three times a week during all the hospitalization. Results: Our preliminary results show that there is no significant difference in scores of Hamilton in the second week between groups (Mean[SD]= 82[5.96] x 11.18[5.03], p = 0.192). However, there is a significant reduction in Hamilton scores of patients in exercise group at discharge (Mean [SD] = 5.93[4.46] x 9.45[3.56], p = 0.041). Regarding Quality of Life (QoL), no significant difference were found between groups in the second week in physical domain ( Mean[SD] = 56.98 [8.96] x 54.54[9.18], p = 0.511) and psychological domain (Mean[SD] = 50.88[13.88] x 42.04 [12.42], p = 0.106). However, there is a significant difference in psychological domain (Mean [SD]= 55.88[9.92] v 41.66[13.04], p = 0.004) and a trend but no statistical significance in the physical (Mean[SD] = 58.80[9.14] x 52.12[8.70], p = 0.07) at discharge. Limitations: Many patients receive different treatment strategies, like ECT (1 patient at exercise group x 3 at control group). Other limitation is the small number of participants included until this moment. Conclusion: Our preliminary results suggest that physical exercise could be a feasible and effective add-on strategy for treatment of severe depressed inpatients, improving their depressive symptoms and QoL. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.