Motor activity and depression severity in adolescent outpatients.
OBJECTIVE
The present study investigated the association between motor activity and severity of depression in 6 depressed adolescent outpatients.


METHODS
Motor activity was assessed by actigraphy and the severity of depression was assessed weekly using the CDRS-R. The levels of motor activity were analyzed by considering activity parameters.


RESULTS
Among the parameters of motor activity studied, the mean total activity, the mean 24-hour activity levels, the mean waking activity, and the mean activity level between 12:00 and 18:00 h were inversely correlated with severity of depression. The means of the 10 most active hours tended toward a negative correlation with the depressive severity score.


CONCLUSIONS
The results seem to suggest an association between motor activity level and severity of depression in adolescents. Nevertheless, in order to reach a more conclusive understanding, it would be necessary to replicate this study using a larger number of individuals as well as a longer observation period.
Finazzi
M E
ME
Department of Psychiatry, Escola Paulista de Medicina, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. elizafinazzi @ uol.com.br
Mesquita
M E
ME
Lopes
J R
JR
Fu
L I
LI
Oliveira
M G
MG
Del Porto
J A
JA
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D010045:Outpatients; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013997:Time Factors; D016138:Walking