Key result
An 8-week physical activity program improves anticipatory anhedonia and hedonic capacity in moderately depressed students.
Why the study?
Antidepressants can cause cardiovascular dysfunction and other side effects, leading researchers to examine whether physical activity, with fewer side effects, can reduce anhedonia in individuals with depression.
Does physical activity improve anhedonia in university students with moderate depressive symptoms?
RCT (n=56)
Does physical activity improve anhedonia in university students with moderate depressive symptoms?
Physical activity, including jogging and stretching, is effective in improving anticipatory anhedonia in individuals with moderate depressive symptoms.
May support physical activity for anhedonia in depressed students; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice.
The therapeutic effect of antidepressants has been demonstrated for anhedonia in patients with depression. However, antidepressants may cause side-effects, such as cardiovascular dysfunction. Although physical activity has minor side-effects, it may serve as an alternative for improving anhedonia and depression. We sought to investigate whether physical activity reduces the level of anhedonia in individuals with depression. Fifty-six university students with moderate depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory total score > 16) were divided into three training groups: the Running Group (RG, n = 19), the Stretching Group (SG, n = 19), and the Control Group (n = 18). We employed the Monetary Incentive Delay (MID) task and the Temporal Experience of Pleasure Scale (TEPS) to evaluate hedonic capacity. All participants in the RG and SG received 8 weeks of jogging and stretching training, respectively. The RG experienced an increase in the level of arousal during anticipation of a future reward and recalled less negativity towards the loss condition. The SG exhibited enhanced scores on the Anticipatory and Consummatory Pleasure subscales of the TEPS after training. Moreover, in the RG, greater improvements in anticipatory arousal ratings for pleasure and remembered valence ratings for negative affect were associated with longer training duration, lower maximum heart rate, and higher consumed calories during training. To conclude, physical activity is effective in improving anticipatory anhedonia in individuals with depressive symptoms.
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Sun et al. (2021) conducted an RCT in Moderate depressive symptoms (n=56). Physical activity (jogging or stretching) vs. Control Group was evaluated on Hedonic capacity evaluated by the Monetary Incentive Delay (MID) task and the Temporal Experience of Pleasure Scale (TEPS). An 8-week physical activity program of jogging or stretching improved anticipatory anhedonia and hedonic capacity in university students with moderate depressive symptoms.