Effects of adjunctive exercise on physiological and psychological parameters in depression: a randomized pilot trial.
OBJECTIVE
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with decreased physical activity and increased rates of the metabolic syndrome (MetS), a risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. Exercise training has been shown to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and metabolic syndrome factors. Therefore, our study aimed at examining whether patients receiving an exercise program as an adjunct to inpatient treatment will benefit in terms of physiological and psychological factors.


METHODS
Fourty-two inpatients with moderate to severe depression were included. Twenty-two patients were randomized to additional 3x weekly exercise training (EXERCISE) and compared to treatment as usual (TAU). Exercise capacity was assessed as peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT) and workload expressed as Watts (W). Metabolic syndrome was defined according to NCEP ATPIII panel criteria.


RESULTS
After 6 weeks of treatment, cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak, VAT, Watt), waist circumference and HDL cholesterol were significantly improved in EXERCISE participants. Treatment response expressed as ≥50% MADRS reduction was more frequent in the EXERCISE group.


CONCLUSIONS
Adjunctive exercise training in depressed inpatients improves physical fitness, MetS factors, and psychological outcome. Given the association of depression with cardiometablic disorders, exercise training is recommended as an adjunct to standard antidepressant treatment.
Institute of Sports Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
Arno
A
Kerling
Institute of Sports Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
Uwe
U
Tegtbur
Institute of Sports Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
Elke
E
Gützlaff
Institute of Sports Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
Momme
M
Kück
Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
Luise
L
Borchert
Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
Zeynep
Z
Ates
Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
Anne
A
von Bohlen
Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
Helge
H
Frieling
Institute for Radiology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
Katja
K
Hüper
Institute for Radiology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
Dagmar
D
Hartung
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, Lübeck, Germany.
Ulrich
U
Schweiger
Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany. Electronic address: kahl.kai@mh-hannover.de.
Kai G
KG
Kahl
D000328:Adult; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012307:Risk Factors; D055105:Waist Circumference
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL
Depression; Metabolic syndrome; Physical exercise