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

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.