Christian Imboden1, Markus Gerber2, Johannes Beck3, Edith Holsboer-Trachsler4, Uwe Pühse2, Martin Hatzinger5. 1. Psychiatric Services Solothurn, Solothurn, Switzerland, and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Private Clinic Wyss, Muenchenbuchsee, Switzerland. Electronic address: christian.imboden@pkwyss.ch. 2. Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. 3. Psychiatric University Hospital, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Private Clinic Sonnenhalde, Riehen, Switzerland. 4. Psychiatric University Hospital, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. 5. Psychiatric Services Solothurn, Solothurn, Switzerland, and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:Aerobic exercise (AE) has positive effects on symptom severity and cognitive symptoms of depression. Since data on AE as add-on to inpatient treatment in depression is still scarce, we conducted this double-blind randomized controlled study. METHODS:Patients aged between 18 and 60 years were recruited into the study if Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 17 (HDRS-17) score was >16. Participants were randomly assigned to either AE or basic stretching activities (control), which took place 3x/week for 6 weeks. Primary outcome was depression severity as assessed with the HDRS-17 and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Further physiological and psychological variables and cognitive performance were assessed as secondary outcomes. RESULTS:Forty-two patients were included in the analysis (exercise: n = 22; control: n = 20). Regardless of group allocation, we found a significant short-term time effect for symptom-severity (HDRS17: p<0.001, η²=0.70; BDI: p<0.001, η²=0.51), mental toughness (p<0.001, η²=0.32), physical self-description endurance score (p = 0.013, η²=0.16), cognitive flexibility (p = 0.013, η²=0.14), and body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.006, η²=0.19). Working memory showed a significant time by group interaction in favor of AE (p = 0.043, η²=0.10). Short-term effects on symptom severity, mental toughness and BMI remained stable across the 6-month follow-up period. Finally, self-reported physical activity increased significantly from baseline to follow-up (p = 0.014, η²=0.15). LIMITATIONS: The sample-size is rather small. The control intervention might have been too active as to find a time by group interaction for symptom severity. CONCLUSIONS: AE was associated with comparably large depression alleviation vs. stretching and with add-on benefits on working memory.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Aerobic exercise (AE) has positive effects on symptom severity and cognitive symptoms of depression. Since data on AE as add-on to inpatient treatment in depression is still scarce, we conducted this double-blind randomized controlled study. METHODS:Patients aged between 18 and 60 years were recruited into the study if Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 17 (HDRS-17) score was >16. Participants were randomly assigned to either AE or basic stretching activities (control), which took place 3x/week for 6 weeks. Primary outcome was depression severity as assessed with the HDRS-17 and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Further physiological and psychological variables and cognitive performance were assessed as secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Forty-two patients were included in the analysis (exercise: n = 22; control: n = 20). Regardless of group allocation, we found a significant short-term time effect for symptom-severity (HDRS17: p<0.001, η²=0.70; BDI: p<0.001, η²=0.51), mental toughness (p<0.001, η²=0.32), physical self-description endurance score (p = 0.013, η²=0.16), cognitive flexibility (p = 0.013, η²=0.14), and body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.006, η²=0.19). Working memory showed a significant time by group interaction in favor of AE (p = 0.043, η²=0.10). Short-term effects on symptom severity, mental toughness and BMI remained stable across the 6-month follow-up period. Finally, self-reported physical activity increased significantly from baseline to follow-up (p = 0.014, η²=0.15). LIMITATIONS: The sample-size is rather small. The control intervention might have been too active as to find a time by group interaction for symptom severity. CONCLUSIONS: AE was associated with comparably large depression alleviation vs. stretching and with add-on benefits on working memory.
Authors: Christian Imboden; Markus Gerber; Johannes Beck; Anne Eckert; Imane Lejri; Uwe Pühse; Edith Holsboer-Trachsler; Martin Hatzinger Journal: Brain Sci Date: 2021-03-24
Authors: Adoración Castro; Miquel Roca; Ignacio Ricci-Cabello; Mauro García-Toro; Pau Riera-Serra; Victoria Coronado-Simsic; María Ángeles Pérez-Ara; Margalida Gili Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-12-16 Impact factor: 3.390