Objectives This review investigates the efficacy and safety of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) combined with psychosocial intervention on depressive symptoms. Materials and methods We systematically searched five electronic databases from their inception to June 2021: PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Medline. Randomized or non-randomized clinical trials in which NIBS plus psychosocial intervention was compared to control conditions in people with depressive symptoms were included. Results A total of 17 eligible studies with 660 participants were included. The meta-analysis results showed that NIBS combined with psychosocial therapy had a positive effect on moderate to severe depression ([SMD = − 0.46, 95%CI (− 0.90, − 0.02), I2 = 73%, p < .01]), but did not significantly improve minimal to mild depression ([SMD = − 0.12, 95%CI (− 0.42, 0.18), I2 = 0%, p = .63]). Compared with NIBS alone, the combination treatment had a significantly greater effect in alleviating depressive symptoms ([SMD = − 0.84, 95%CI (− 1.25, − 0.42), I2 = 0%, p = .93]). However, our results suggested that the pooled effect size of ameliorating depression of NIBS plus psychosocial intervention had no significant difference compared with the combination of sham NIBS [SMD = − 0.12, 95%CI (− 0.31, 0.07), I2 = 0%, p = .60] and psychosocial intervention alone [SMD = − 0.97, 95%CI (− 2.32, 0.38), I2 = 72%, p = .01]. Conclusion NIBS when combined with psychosocial intervention has a significant positive effect in alleviating moderately to severely depressive symptoms. Further well-designed studies of NIBS combined with psychosocial intervention on depression should be carried out to consolidate the conclusions and explore the in-depth underlying mechanism.

Background Depression is a prevalent and debilitating mental disorder and a leading cause of disability worldwide. Physical activity (PA) interventions have been shown to alleviate depressive symptoms. However, not all patients have access to PA programing tailored for depression. Internet-guided self-help (IGSH) interventions may be an effective option for increasing PA among people with depression who cannot or prefer not to access supervised exercise treatment. Objective We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of IGSH interventions in increasing PA and alleviating depressive symptoms in people with depression. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted for randomized controlled trials and quasiexperimental studies using 9 electronic databases. The review was registered in PROSPERO (2020 CRD42020221713). Results A total of 4 randomized controlled trials (430 participants) met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 3 were web-based and 1 was app-based. Three studies found IGSH interventions to have medium to large effects on decreasing depressive symptoms but not on increasing PA compared with waitlist or usual care. One study showed increased self-reported PA but no significant difference in depressive symptoms in the intervention group compared with the control group. Goal setting was the most common behavior change technique used in the interventions. Dropout rates within the intervention groups were relatively low (0%-19%). Conclusions Our findings suggested that IGSH PA interventions are feasible and have the potential to reduce depressive symptoms in people with depression. More well-designed and tailored interventions with different combinations of behavior change techniques, particularly those targeting the emotion domain, are needed to assess the overall effectiveness and feasibility of using IGSH interventions to increase PA among people with depression. Trial Registration PROSPERO CRD42020221713; https://tinyurl.com/ysaua5bu

Physical inactivity has long been a global public health issue. In response to this, China published new Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for Chinese People in 2021 (PASBG 2021). This is a milestone in China’s public health, behavioural epidemiology and an important contribution to the Healthy China 2030 initiative. This commentary summarises the contents and highlighted the significance of the new guidelines. The new Chinese PASBG provide foundations for population-based estimates of healthy behaviours, strategies addressing physical inactivity and messages designed to encourage people to be more active. While the contents of the PASBG 2021 are mostly consistent with the World Health Organisation physical activity guidelines, it is unclear on what evidence they are based, and whether this included research in Chinese people. Physical activity research in China is very limited and it is urgently needed to advance national-based physical activity research in China in accordance with the behavioural epidemiology framework. The development of new PASBG is only the first step, now it is what is done to communicate and disseminate, provide opportunities and supportive environments that will make a difference to physical activity levels in China. As such, we hope the PASBG 2021 will not only become a document for educating Chinese people to move more, but also an impetus for improving population health research.

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BACKGROUND Depression is a prevalent and debilitating mental disorder and one of the leading causes of disability in Canada and around the world. Structured exercise interventions have been identified as effective in alleviating depression, and exercise is now recommended as a treatment for mild-to-moderate depression in Canada. It may not always be possible, however, to access supervised and structured exercise interventions for depression. Internet-guided self-help (IGSH) interventions, a type of eHealth intervention, may be an effective alternative in increasing physical activity among people with depression who cannot, or prefer not to, access supervised exercise treatment. OBJECTIVE The objective of this systematic review (PROSPERO 2020 CRD42020221713) is to evaluate the effectiveness of IGSH interventions in increasing physical activity and alleviating depressive symptoms among people with depression (PWD). METHODS Two rounds of systematic literature searches for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies were conducted in nine electronic databases (e.g., Medline, PsycINFO) in December 2020 and November 2021 from their inception. RESULTS Five RCTs (502 participants) met the inclusion criteria. Four were web-based and one was app-based. Three studies indicated that IGSH interventions have medium to large effects on decreasing depressive symptoms but not on increasing physical activity compared to waitlist/usual care groups. Two studies showed increased self-reported physical activity but no significant change in depressive symptoms in the intervention groups compared to control groups. None of the included studies reported changes in physical activity as a primary outcome. Goal-setting, problem solving, feedback on behaviour, and self-monitoring of behaviour were the four most common behaviour change techniques used in the interventions. Dropout rates in intervention groups were relatively low (0% - 21.9%). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that IGSH physical activity interventions are feasible and moderately effective in improving depressive symptoms among PWD. More well-designed and tailored interventions with different combinations of BCTs, particularly those targeting the emotion domain, are needed to assess the overall effectiveness and feasibility of using IGSH interventions for increasing physical activity among PWD.