Key result
A 14-week group medical visit program with integrated physical activity reduced median depression and anxiety scores, while daily steps increased non-significantly.
Why the study?
Do interdisciplinary group medical visits with integrated physical activity improve daily steps, depression, and anxiety in adults with chronic depression?
Do interdisciplinary group medical visits with integrated physical activity improve daily steps, depression, and anxiety in adults with chronic depression?
Interdisciplinary group medical visits incorporating physical activity significantly reduced depression and anxiety scores in patients with chronic depression, though the increase in daily steps was not statistically significant.
This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.
OBJECTIVE: The evidence that regular physical activity can treat depressive disorders is increasingly robust. However, motivating patients with depression to engage in physical activity can be challenging. Interdisciplinary group medical visits (GMVs) with an integrated physical activity component may be a novel means to support patients in becoming more active. METHODS: We conducted a 'pre-post' pilot study within a primary care setting. Participants were adults (≥18 years) with a chronic major depressive disorder or a bipolar 2 disorder (depression; chronic). A psychiatrist and exercise therapist co-led a series of 14 weekly 2 h GMVs. Each group visit combined specific medical advice, physical activity, patient discussions and a targeted educational component. Participants also attended 11 weekly hatha yoga classes. Primary outcome was 'steps' as measured by accelerometer (SenseWear) as well as depression (Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-9) and anxiety (Generalised Anxiety Disorder, GAD-7) ratings. RESULTS: 14 of 15 participants (93.3%) completed the 14-week programme. After 3 months postintervention, median depression scales (PHQ-9) decreased 38% from 16 to 10 (p<0.01; IQR pre/post 8/12); and median anxiety scales (GAD-7) decreased 50% from 13 to 6.5 (p<0.05; IQR 8.5/9). Median daily 'steps' increased 71% from 3366 to 5746 (IQR 2610/6237), though this was not significant (p>0.10). CONCLUSIONS: While other studies have examined the efficacy of GMVs in addressing chronic illnesses and the promotion of lifestyle changes, none to our knowledge have embedded physical activity within the actual patient visits. Interdisciplinary GMVs (eg, psychiatrist/exercise professional) may be a means to decrease depression and anxiety ratings within clinical care while improving physical activity.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
May improve depression/anxiety scores in chronic depression; leaves open effects on steps and needs randomized trials.
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Adams et al. (2015) studied chronic major depressive disorder or bipolar 2 disorder (n=15). Interdisciplinary group medical visits (GMVs) with integrated physical activity was evaluated on Daily steps, depression (PHQ-9), and anxiety (GAD-7) ratings (p=p<0.01 for depression, p<0.05 for anxiety, p>0.10 for steps). A 14-week group medical visit program with integrated physical activity reduced median depression and anxiety scores, while daily steps increased non-significantly.
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