Effects of an exercise program on the physiological, biological and psychological profiles in patients with mood disorders: a pilot study

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the impact of an 8-week physical training program on physiological, biological and psychological profiles in individual with mood disorders.

Methods: Seven patients participated in the study. Patients were trained twice weekly (75 min/session) for 8 weeks. The training program aimed to improve muscular and cardiorespiratory reserves as well as functional capacity. Bioassays were also measured (lipid profile, blood glucose and cortisol). Depression, sleep quality and body image dissatisfaction were assessed. All measures were administrated at pre/post-intervention.

Results: At post-intervention, 13 of the 15 physiological fitness, muscular strength and functional capacity variables improved significantly (p < .05). In addition, change in cortisol levels represented a medium to large effect size (Cohen’s d = −0.67) which indicates a clinical reduction of stress-related symptoms. Depression was significantly improved (Cohen’s d = −0.47; p = .027). Sleep and body image showed a trend-level improvement.

Conclusions: An 8-week periodised training program improved physiological, biological and psychological profiles in patients with mood disorders.

Keywords:

• Mood disorders
• exercise training
• sleep quality
• body image dissatisfaction
• cortisol

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank the staff of the Chicoutimi regional hospital and the patients who kindly agreed to participate in this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.