Exercise with a physiotherapist helps people with depression

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-06/uog-ewa061215.php

Public Release: 12-Jun-2015
University of Gothenburg

Exercise has a positive effect on depression - so reveals a dissertation written at the Sahlgrenska Academy.

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The exercise in the study was based on a person-centered approach, where the exercises were adapted to the participant's needs, expectations and previous experiences.

The experiments showed that people who participated in exercise aimed at increasing their physical fitness clearly improved their mental health compared with the control group.

Even participants who were coached in basal body awareness reduced their depressive symptoms, although not as significantly.

The studies show that the participants who exercised felt that they had the strength to do more at home and engaged in more social contacts.

But it is not so easy to simply start exercising. The participants described how their depression created a resistance to leaving the house and this makes it difficult have the mental energy to desire to be physically active. Several participants stressed the importance the support they received the physiotherapist, and that exercising together with other participants constituted a meaningful connection.

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