Physical Therapy for Depression Quality of Life (Pilot Study Protocol)

Summary

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) significantly impacts quality of life and health status. Standard treatments include medical, psychological, and pharmacological approaches, with physical therapy often playing a less central role. This pilot study aims to investigate the potential benefits of incorporating a physical therapy program, based on therapeutic exercise and health education, within the management of MDD in a short-stay psychiatric unit.

This project will implement a physical therapy intervention consisting of twice-weekly sessions of active joint mobility exercises, strength training (body weight/elastic bands), balance exercises, and progressive muscle relaxation, integrated with health education on the benefits of physical activity for mental health and strategies for long-term adherence.

Adult patients (over 18 years) diagnosed with MDD, admitted to the short-stay psychiatry unit of Royo Villanova Hospital in Zaragoza and under regular medical, psychological, and pharmacological treatment, will be recruited for this study. All participants will receive the physical therapy program in addition to their standard care.

The main objective is to analyze the preliminary efficacy of a physical therapy intervention program based on health education and therapeutic exercise in improving quality of life and health status in adults with MDD during their stay in a short-stay psychiatric unit.

A secondary objective is to explore the perceptions of these patients and the healthcare professionals regarding the implementation of this multimodal treatment approach, including barriers and facilitators encountered.

Hypothesis: A physical therapy program integrating therapeutic exercise and health education is feasible and preliminarily effective in improving quality of life and health status in adults with MDD in a short-stay psychiatric unit and is perceived positively by both patients and healthcare professionals regarding its implementation.

Conditions

• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Interventions

OTHER

Physical Therapy Program for MDD

PT program for hospitalized adults with MDD: twice-weekly, 45-min sessions integrating: 1) Active joint mobility (gentle movements for ROM). 2) Progressive strength (bodyweight/bands, low-mod intensity, major muscles). 3) Balance (stability exercises, adapted difficulty). 4) Progressive muscle relaxation (end of session). Includes health education: exercise \& mental health link (biological/psychological mechanisms), benefits of each exercise type (mood, function, QoL), post-discharge activity strategies, self-assessment, community resources in Zaragoza. Delivered by trained PTs, adaptable to individual needs.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidad San Jorge

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Carolina Jiménez Sánchez, Dr · Universidad San Jorge

• José Lesmes Poveda López · Universidad San Jorge

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-09-01

Primary Completion

2026-07-31

Completion

2026-07-31

Countries

• Spain

Study Locations