The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy of the physical exercise (PE) program as an adjuvant therapy for depression. The study included patients over 18 years of age suffering from depression of mild to moderate severity. Two groups of patients were formed: (1) the ones who received PE in addition to their usual treatment (n = 107, mean age 41.88 ± 12.66 years); (2) those with only usual treatment – the control group (n = 80, mean age 42.54 ± 13.63 years). PE was conducted with the frequency of 3–5 times a week in a group under the supervision of a fitness instructor. In both groups, a significant decrease in the severity of depressive and anxious symptoms was observed during treatment. Patients of the main group at the end of inpatient treatment had lower rates on the Hamilton Depression Scale, Beck Depression Scale, the Hamilton Anxiety Scale. Negative affect rate (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule) was lower and positive affect rate was higher in main group compared to controls. Our results support the notion of the efficacy of PE program as an adjuvant therapy for treating depression.
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