Research

Efficacy of physical activity in the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorders: preliminary results

Alessandra Pilu¹ , Manlio Sorba¹ , Maria Carolina Hardoy^1,3 , Anna Laura Floris¹ , Francesca Mannu¹ , Maria Luisa Seruis¹ , Claudio Velluti² , Bernardo Carpiniello¹ , Massimiliano Salvi² and Mauro Giovanni Carta^1,3

¹Department of Public Health, University of Cagliari, Via Porcell 4, 09100 Cagliari, Italy

²Orthopedic Clinic, University of Cagliari, Ospedale Marino, Cagliari, Italy

³Italian Society of Sport Psychiatry, Viale Merello 22, 09100, Cagliari, Italy

author email corresponding author email

Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health 2007, 3:8doi:10.1186/1745-0179-3-8

Published:	9 July 2007

Abstract

Background

No controlled trials have evaluated the long term efficacy of exercise activity to improve the treatment of patients with Major Depressive Disorders. The aim of the present study was to confirm the efficacy of the adjunctive physical activity in the treatment of major depressive disorders, with a long term follow up (8 months).

Methods

Trial with randomized naturalistic control. Patients selected from the clinical activity registries of the Psychiatric Unit of the University of Cagliari, Italy.

Inclusion criteria: female, between 40 and 60 years, diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorders (DSM-IV TR) resistant to the ongoing treatment.

Exclusion criteria: diagnosis of psychotic disorders; any contraindications to physical activity.

30 patients (71.4% of the eligible) participated to the study.

Cases: 10 randomized patients undergoing pharmacological treatment plus physical activity.

Controls: 20 patients undergoing only pharmacological therapy.

The following tools were collected from each patient by two different psychiatric physicians at baseline and 8 month after the beginning of exercise program: SCID-I, HAM-D, CGI (Clinical Global Impression), GAF.

Results

The patients that made physical activity had their HAM-D, GAF and CGI score improved from T0 to T8, all differences were statistically significant. In the control group HAM-D, GAF and CGI scores do not show any statistically significant differences between T0 and T8.

Limits

Small sample size limited to female in adult age; control group was not subject to any structured rehabilitation activity or placebo so it was impossible to evaluate if the improvement was due to a non specific therapeutic effect associated with taking part in a social activity.

Conclusion

Physical activity seems a good adjunctive treatment in the long term management of patients with MDD. Randomized placebo controlled trials are needed to confirm the results.