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Aerobic exercise in depressed youth: A feasibility and clinical outcomes pilot
Author(s) -
Jaworska Natalia,
Courtright Allegra K.,
De Somma Elisea,
MacQueen Glenda M.,
MacMaster Frank P.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
early intervention in psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.087
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1751-7893
pISSN - 1751-7885
DOI - 10.1111/eip.12537
Subject(s) - aerobic exercise , psychology , physical therapy , clinical psychology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , gerontology , medicine
Aim Major depressive disorder (MDD) onset generally occurs in adolescence/early adulthood. However, pharmacotherapy use in younger populations is restricted due to black box warnings. Aerobic exercise may be a viable treatment option for mild‐to‐moderate MDD, but little is known about its acceptability/effectiveness in young adults. Methods Unmedicated and relatively inactive 18‐to‐24 olds with MDD completed fitness/clinical assessments at baseline and after 12 weeks of supervised aerobic exercise (3×/wk; 30‐minute sessions in target heart rate [HR] zone), with the aim of increasing cardiovascular fitness (VO 2max ‐indexed). Results Post‐intervention, predicted VO 2max increased, whereas depression scores decreased. A correlation existed between time spent in target HR zone and anxiety symptom decreases. Exercise adherence and satisfaction were high, and drop‐out was minimal. Conclusions This pilot is among the first to assess the feasibility of aerobic exercise as an antidepressant treatment strategy in young adults, a group for which options have limited acceptability.