title: How we walk affects what we remember: gait modifications through biofeedback change negative affective memory bias.
abstract: Several studies have shown that physical exercise such as walking has effects on depression. These studies have focused on increasing intensity and amount of physical activity. In the present study, we investigated whether not only the intensity but also the style of physical activity affects depression related processes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using an unobtrusive biofeedback technique, we manipulated participants (39 undergraduates) to change their walking patterns to either reflect the characteristics of depressed patients or a particularly happy walking style. The intensity of walking (i.e. walking speed) was held constant across condition. During walking, participants first encoded and later recalled a series of emotionally loaded terms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The difference between recalled positive and recalled negative words was much lower in participants who adopted a depressed walking style as compared to participants who walked as if they were happy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The effects of gait manipulation were investigated in a non-clinical group of undergraduates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The observed change in memory bias supports the idea that beyond the intensity of walking the style of walking has effects on the vulnerability to depression.
authors.affiliation: Witten Herdecke University, Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, D-58448 Witten, Germany; University of Hildesheim, Institute of Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychology, Marienburger Platz 22, D-31131 Hildesheim, Germany. Electronic address: johannes.michalak@uni-wh.de.
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Michalak
authors.affiliation: University of Hildesheim, Institute of Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychology, Marienburger Platz 22, D-31131 Hildesheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rohde
authors.affiliation: Queen's University Kingston, Department of Psychology, Biomotion Lab, 62 Arch Street, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada.
authors.forename: Nikolaus F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Troje
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015982:Bias; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D003863:Depression / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Biofeedback; Body; Depression; Embodiment; Memory