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. 2003 Dec 16;25(24):1344-53.
doi: 10.1080/09638280310001616330.

Assessing the additional impact of fitness training in depressed psychiatric patients receiving multifaceted treatment: a replicated single-subject design

P van de Vliet  1 , P Onghena, J Knapen, K R Fox, M Probst, H van Coppenolle, G Pieters
Affiliations

Assessing the additional impact of fitness training in depressed psychiatric patients receiving multifaceted treatment: a replicated single-subject design

P van de Vliet et al. Disabil Rehabil. .

Abstract

Purpose: Exercise has been put forward as a therapeutic means for the treatment of clinical depression.

Methods: In this study, 29 patients, all with diagnosed with mood disorder, completed daily measurements of depression and physical well-being during periods ranging from 77 to 436 days (M = 146.5). Fitness training was added to the treatment after a period and changes before (A-phase) and after (B-phase) the implementation of this training were the subject of investigation. Data were analysed by means of randomization tests with an AB-design and time-series analysis. Replication of the findings was investigated using Fisher's multiplicative method.

Results: Adding fitness training to the treatment of clinical depression does not systematically lead to changes in self-reported feelings of depression on top of benefits that may be due to other treatments.

Conclusions: Since the present findings are not in agreement with previous studies, the absence of statistically significant changes in self-reported feelings of depression is discussed within the complexity of the 'exercise - depression' relationship in inpatient populations. These included the severity of their depression, the potential ceiling effect of a multifaceted treatment programme and the initial increase in depression due to the confrontational nature of the intervention.

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