Evaluating Aerobic Exercise as an Addition to Antidepressant Therapy for Depression Treatment in South Punjab Pakistan

What This Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effects of aerobic exercise as an additional therapy for adults with moderate to severe depressive disorder. This study compares two groups over 6 weeks to see how depression severity changes. One group receives standard antidepressant medication Sertraline and psychotherapy, while the other group receives the same medication and therapy plus structured aerobic exercises like cycling and brisk walking. Participants in the experimental group will take part in supervised aerobic exercise sessions lasting 35 minutes each, three times per week for 6 weeks along with their usual treatment. The comparison group will receive only the standard treatment with antidepressants and psychotherapy. After 6 weeks, both groups will be assessed for changes in depression severity using the Beck Depression Inventory BDI scale. During the study, participants will attend supervised exercise sessions if assigned to the exercise group and continue their medications and therapy. Researchers will measure the change in BDI scores from the start of the study to week 6 to evaluate depression severity. The study includes adults aged 18 to 55 of both genders, and monitoring will ensure safety and adherence throughout the 6-week period.

Aerobic Exercise as an Adjunct Therapy for Depression