title: Exercise therapy for depression in middle-aged and older adults: predictors of early dropout and treatment failure.
abstract: Psychosocial factors predicting treatment dropout or failure to benefit from treatment were identified in a randomized trial of exercise therapy and pharmacotherapy for major depression. One hundred fifty-six men and women over age 50 diagnosed with major depressive disorder were assigned to a 16-week program of aerobic exercise, medication (sertraline), or a combination of exercise and medication. Thirty-two patients (21%) failed to complete the program and were considered treatment "dropouts." At the end of 16 weeks, 83 patients (53%) were in remission; the remaining patients not in remission were considered treatment "failures." Baseline levels of self-reported anxiety and lift satisfaction were the best predictors of both patient dropout and treatment success or failure across all treatment conditions.
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Herman
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Blumenthal
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Babyak
authors.forename: Parinda
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Khatri
authors.forename: W Edward
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Craighead
authors.forename: K Ranga
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Krishnan
authors.forename: P Murali
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Doraiswamy
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents