Exercise as Treatment for Youth With Major Depression: The Healthy Body Healthy Mind Feasibility Study

Abstract

The goals of this study were to determine the feasibility of engaging youth with major depressive disorder (MDD) in a multimodal exercise intervention (Healthy Body Healthy Mind) plus usual care and to evaluate the magnitude of its effects on psychological, physical fitness, and biomarker outcomes to inform a future randomized controlled trial. Youth (15 to 25 y of age) with MDD diagnosed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) were eligible to participate. Feasibility measures included recruitment, retention, and program adherence rates. The exercise program consisted of a single session of motivational interviewing to enhance exercise adherence, then 1-hour, small-group supervised exercise sessions 3 times per week for 12 weeks. Assessments were administered at baseline and at 12 weeks. Depression symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). Physical fitness and blood biomarkers were also measured. Three males and 10 females with MDD, who were 18 to 24 years of age, participated. Retention at 12 weeks was 86%, and attendance at exercise sessions averaged 62%±28%. After 12 weeks, 69% of participants experienced a remission of MDD based on the SCID. Mean BDI-II scores decreased from 31.9±9.1 to 13.1±10.1 [Cohen d effect size (ES)=1.96]. Improvements were observed in upper (ES=0.64) and lower (ES=0.32) body muscular endurance. Exercise session attendance was moderately correlated with changes in BDI-II scores (Pearson r=0.49). It appears feasible to attract and engage some youth with MDD in an exercise intervention. The positive impact on depression symptoms justifies further studies employing exercise interventions as an adjunct to routine care for young people with MDD.

Effects of Taijiquan and Qigong exercises on depression and anxiety levels in patients with substance use disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Taijiquan and Qigong exercise can effectively relieve depression and anxiety symptoms among drug abusers. 28 , 29 Previous studies have shown promising effects of Taijiquan or Qigong practice on improving depression and anxiety in otherwise healthy adults, 30 young people with major depressive disorder, 31 obese women, 32 cancer patients, 33 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. 34 , 35 However, previous studies have used both modalities at varied frequencies and over different periods; therefore, their effects on the levels of anxiety, depression, and overall mood in patients with substance use disorders (SUD) remain unclear.…”

Physical Exercise: An Overview of Benefits From Psychological Level to Genetics and Beyond

“…Depression assessment was done at 12 weeks by the Beck Depression Inventory, the mean scores of which showed a decrease from 31.9 ± 9.1 to 13.1 ± 10.1 (Cohen d effect size = 1.96). The positive impact highlighted by this study motivates recognizing the use of exercise as a powerful adjunct tool (Adriana et al, 2020). The prevalence of child and adolescent mental illness, including all mental disorders, was found to at 13.4% (Polanczyk et al, 2015).…”

Physical Exercise Ameliorates Anxiety, Depression and Sleep Quality in College Students: Experimental Evidence from Exercise Intensity and Frequency

“…In the study on the improvement of sleep quality, it was found that exercise intensity was the main factor for improving sleep quality, while exercise frequency did not lead to changes in sleep quality. Numerous studies have demonstrated beneficial effects of physical activity on anxiety [26], depression [27], and sleep quality [28]. Additional intervention using physical exercise for patients with depression can effectively relieve depressive symptoms.…”