A 12-week multimodal exercise program combined with pharmacotherapy significantly reduced triglyceride levels compared to pharmacotherapy alone in patients with major depressive disorder (p=0.015).
RCT (n=122)
Open-label
Block-randomized
No
Does combined physical exercise and escitalopram improve lipid profiles and depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder compared to escitalopram alone?
Combining a 12-week physical exercise program with escitalopram significantly reduces total cholesterol and triglycerides in patients with major depressive disorder, with lipid reductions correlating with improved depressive symptoms.
p-value: p=0.015
Abstract This randomized controlled trial investigated the relationship between lipid profiles and depression severity at the time of diagnosis and the effects of physical exercise during 12 weeks on lipid profiles in individuals with major depressive disorders (MDD). At the time of diagnosis were 122 adults with MDD. After assessment, 59 adults with MDD were divided into two groups: a physical exercise group (PE; physical exercise + pharmacotherapy, n = 26; 76.9% female; mean age = 28yrs) and a control group (P; pharmacotherapy only, n = 29; 78.7% female; mean age = 26yrs). The exercise intervention was adjusted by perceived effort and affect (pleasure and enjoyment) toward exercise and lasted 12 weeks. At the pre-treatment phase, participants with severe MDD exhibited significantly higher triglyceride levels as compared to those with mild to moderate depression ( p = 0.041), after controlling for BMI. No significant differences were observed in total cholesterol levels between groups. In PE group, total cholesterol levels decreased significantly over time, and this reduction was positively correlated with a decrease in depressive symptoms ( p < 0.05; r = 0.289). In contrast, no significant changes in total cholesterol were observed in the P group. Triglyceride levels decreased in both treatment groups: PE (week 5 vs. week 12: p < 0.0001; baseline vs. week 12: p < 0.0001) and P (week 5 vs. week 12: p < 0.0001; baseline vs. week 12: p = 0.002), however, only in PE group was this reduction significantly associated with improvements in depressive symptoms ( p < 0.05; r = 0.278). These preliminary results underscore the importance of integrating pharmacological and behavioral interventions to optimize both clinical and metabolic outcomes.
Bezerra et al. (Wed,) conducted a rct in Major Depressive Disorder (n=122). Physical exercise and pharmacotherapy vs. Pharmacotherapy alone (Escitalopram 10-15 mg) was evaluated on Triglyceride levels at week 12 (p=0.015). A 12-week multimodal exercise program combined with pharmacotherapy significantly reduced triglyceride levels compared to pharmacotherapy alone in patients with major depressive disorder (p=0.015).