Assessing the additional impact of fitness training in depressed psychiatric patients receiving multifaceted treatment: a replicated single-subject design.
OBJECTIVE
Exercise has been put forward as a therapeutic means for the treatment of clinical depression.


METHODS
In this study, 29 patients, all with diagnosed with mood disorder, completed daily measurements of depression and physical well-being during periods ranging from 77 to 436 days (M = 146.5). Fitness training was added to the treatment after a period and changes before (A-phase) and after (B-phase) the implementation of this training were the subject of investigation. Data were analysed by means of randomization tests with an AB-design and time-series analysis. Replication of the findings was investigated using Fisher's multiplicative method.


RESULTS
Adding fitness training to the treatment of clinical depression does not systematically lead to changes in self-reported feelings of depression on top of benefits that may be due to other treatments.


CONCLUSIONS
Since the present findings are not in agreement with previous studies, the absence of statistically significant changes in self-reported feelings of depression is discussed within the complexity of the 'exercise - depression' relationship in inpatient populations. These included the severity of their depression, the potential ceiling effect of a multifaceted treatment programme and the initial increase in depression due to the confrontational nature of the intervention.
van de Vliet
P
P
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. peter.vandevliet@flok.kuleuven.ac.be
Onghena
P
P
Knapen
J
J
Fox
K R
KR
Probst
M
M
van Coppenolle
H
H
Pieters
G
G
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012647:Self-Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome