title: Exercise or basic body awareness therapy as add-on treatment for major depression: a controlled study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  While physical exercise as adjunctive treatment for major depression has received considerable attention in recent years, the evidence is conflicting. This study evaluates the effects of two different add-on treatments: exercise and basic body awareness therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial with two intervention groups and one control, including 62 adults on antidepressant medication, who fulfilled criteria for current major depression as determined by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Interventions (10 weeks) were aerobic exercise or basic body awareness therapy (BBAT), compared to a single consultation with advice on physical activity. Primary outcome was depression severity, rated by a blinded assessor using the Montgomery Asberg Rating Scale (MADRS). Secondary outcomes were global function, cardiovascular fitness, self-rated depression, anxiety and body awareness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Improvements in MADRS score (mean change=-10.3, 95% CI (-13.5 to -7.1), p=0.038) and cardiovascular fitness (mean change=2.4ml oxygen/kg/min, 95% CI (1.5 to 3.3), p=0.017) were observed in the exercise group. Per-protocol analysis confirmed the effects of exercise, and indicated that BBAT has an effect on self-rated depression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The small sample size and the challenge of missing data. Participants׳ positive expectations regarding the exercise intervention need to be considered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exercise in a physical therapy setting seems to have effect on depression severity and fitness, in major depression. Our findings suggest that physical therapy can be a viable clinical strategy to inspire and guide persons with major depression to exercise. More research is needed to clarify the effects of basic body awareness therapy.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 455, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden; University of Gothenburg Centre for Person-Centred Care (GPCC), Sweden. Electronic address: louise.danielsson@neuro.gu.se.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Danielsson
authors.affiliation: Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ilias
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Papoulias
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Närhälsan Research and Development Primary Health Care, Region Västra Götaland, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Eva-Lisa
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Petersson
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 455, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden; University of Gothenburg Centre for Person-Centred Care (GPCC), Sweden.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carlsson
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 455, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden; Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Margda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Waern
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001364:Awareness; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents
keywords: Major depression; Person-centred care; Physical therapy; Randomized controlled trial