A randomized controlled trial on the impact of moderate-intensity continuous aerobic exercise on the depression status of middle-aged patients with congestive heart failure

Background: Depression prevalence rates in congestive heart failure (CHF) patients have increased in the last few years. Depression is a leveled and independent risk factor for hospital readmission, decreased function, and patient mortality for patients with CHF. Major depressive disorder can be diagnosed in CHF patients who frequently suffer from sleeplessness, fatigue, and neurovegetative manifestations that extend to depressed patients. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of moderate-intensity continuous aerobic exercise (MICAE) on the depression status in patients with CHF. Methods: Between June and September 2017, 46 patients with CHF who suffered from depression were selected for this study. These patients aged 40 to 60 years, were medically diagnosed with CHF-related illnesses, and physical disabilities. The participating patients were selected from the psychological medicine unit of the University Hospitals. They were randomly classified into 2 groups, each group included 23 patients. The study group underwent MICAE (MICAE) 3 times weekly for 12 weeks, whereas the control group received traditional intervention without any physical exercise. Results: There were no significant differences between the 2 groups regarding baseline characteristics (P >.05). Patients in both groups had a significant decrease in their depression levels. The study group had a greater reduction of 80.9% (P <.05) when compared to a reduction in the control group 46.46% (P <.05). Conclusions: According to the study outcomes, it was concluded that 12 weeks of MICAE has positive effects on the depression status in patients with CHF. The study group who underwent moderate-intensity aerobic exercise had a greater decrease in the depression status of CHF patients when compared to the control group. Abbreviations: CHF = congestive heart failure, MDD = major depressive disorder, MICAE = moderate-intensity continuous aerobic exercise, PHQ-9 = patient health questionnaire-9, SPSS = statistical package for social sciences.