A randomised, controlled study on the effects of a short-term endurance training programme in patients with major depression.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the short-term effects of exercise in patients with major depression.


METHODS
Prospective, randomised, controlled study.


METHODS
A university hospital.


METHODS
A consecutive series of 38 inpatients with a major depression episode undergoing standard clinical antidepressant drug treatment.


METHODS
Patients were randomly assigned to an exercise (walking, n = 20) or placebo (low-intensity stretching and relaxation exercises, n = 18) group. Training was carried out for 10 days.


METHODS
Severity of depression assessed with the Bech-Rafaelsen Melancholy Scale (BRMS) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D).


RESULTS
After 10 days, reduction of depression scores in the exercise group was significantly larger than in the placebo group (BRMS: 36% v 18%; CES-D: 41% v 21%; p for both = 0.01); the proportion of patients with a clinical response (reduction in the BRMS scores by more than six points) was also larger for the exercise group (65% v 22%, p<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Endurance exercise may help to achieve substantial improvement in the mood of selected patients with major depression in a short time.
Knubben
K
K
Section of Sports Medicine, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Reischies
F M
FM
Adli
M
M
Schlattmann
P
P
Bauer
M
M
Dimeo
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010807:Physical Endurance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents