Aerobic exercise for individuals with depression

INTRODUCTION: This study is an intervention study conducted to determine the effect of aerobic exercise program on the quality of life, self-esteem, and depression level of individuals diagnosed with depression.
METHODS: The sample of the study consisted of a total of 60 patients, 30 of whom were in the study group, 30 of whom were in the comparison group, followed up with a diagnosis of depression in the psychiatry outpatient clinic. Research data were collected using the sociodemographic data form, WHOQOL-BREF Quality of Life Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Beck Depression Scale. To both groups, sociodemographic data form, WHOQOL-BREF Quality of Life Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Beck Depression Scale were applied at the beginning of the study, and scales were applied repeatedly at the end of the 1st month, 2nd month, and 3rd month. To the working group in the research, a 45-min aerobic exercise program was applied 3 days a week for 12 weeks. Research data – it was evaluated by Chi-square test and two-way analysis of variance in repeated measures.
RESULTS: After the aerobic exercise program, it was determined that the quality of life and self-esteem scores of the patients in the study group increased, and their body mass index (BMI) and depression levels decreased. After the aerobic exercise program, the BMI values of the individuals in the study group decreased significantly, BMI according to age, gender, marital status, occupation, and disease duration, between the quality of life and depression level, between the quality of life and depression level according to education level, the number of self by gender and occupation. It was found that there was a statistically significant difference between the scores.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Aerobic exercise program – it was determined that it increased the quality of life and self-esteem scores of individuals and decreased their depression levels and BMI values.