Impact of aerobic exercise on muscle mass in patients with major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial

Figures & data

Table 1 Anthropometric data, muscle mass, and physical activity in the EXERCISE (n=20) and the TAU group (n=10) before starting the intervention

Measure	EXERCISE (n=20)	TAU (n=10)	P-value
Age (years)	44±8	38±9	ns
Male (n)	12	6	ns
Height (cm)	174±9	172±9	ns
Weight (kg)	81±23	79±12	ns
BMI (kg/m^2)	26.3±5.0	26.5±3.3	ns
Muscle mass (cm^2)	121±26	133±31	ns
Physical activity	2.7±1.6	3.1±1.8	ns

Note: EXERCISE= patients with MDD received additional exercise treatment.

Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; TAU, treatment as usual; MDD, major depressive disorder; ns, not significant.

Table 2 Muscle mass in EXERCISE (n=20) and TAU group (n=10) before and after the intervention

Muscle mass (cm^2)	EXERCISE (n=20)		TAU (n=10)		P-value
	Mean	SD	Mean	SD
					0.042
T0	121	26	133	31
T1	124	27	129	35

Notes: Time × group effect was analyzed with repeated measures analysis of variance with age, BMI and the physical activity score as covariates. EXERCISE= patients with MDD received additional exercise treatment. A P-value <0.05 was considered significant.

Abbreviations: TAU, treatment as usual; MDD, major depressive disorder; BMI, body mass index.

Figure 1 EXERCISE increases muscle mass in patients with depression.

Notes: EXERCISE= patients with MDD received additional exercise treatment. ^*P=0.042
Abbreviations: TAU, treatment as usual; MDD, major depressive disorder.