Effect of physical exercise on depressive symptoms in hospitalized patients with depression

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate depressive symptoms, separately and as a whole, before and at one month after the conclusion of a physical exercise program in hospitalized patients with depression. The participants were 48 patients who were divided into two groups (pharmacological = 24 and pharmacological+physical exercise = 24). As a result, when comparing between groups one month after carrying out the physical exercise program in conjunction with the pharmacological treatment, the pharmacological+physical exercise group had significantly lower scores on the BDI (Msum = 1.0, DTsum= 1.35), compared to the group that only had the pharmacological treatment (Msum= 11.08, DTsum= 5.97). Regarding the repeated measures ANOVA, it is shown that there were significant differences in both groups, pharmacological (F(41)= 11.35, p < .000; η2p= .33; d = .79) and pharmacological + physical exercise (F(41)= 22.81, p < .000; η2p= .50; d = .86) due to the time factor. However, a greater effect size was found in the group where physical exercise was used. In conclusion, this study shows that a physical exercise program in conjunction with pharmacological treatment reduces most of the depressive symptoms in hospitalized patients.