NCT07062783

Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Biomarkers in Depression

The Effect of Respiratory and Aerobic Exercises on Neuroprotective and Inflammation Biomarkers in Patients Diagnosed With Major Depression

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Kutahya Health Sciences University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 40 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study aims to investigate changes in the levels of biomarkers (IGF-1, FGF2, and EGF) involved in neuron development in patients diagnosed with major depression through the effects of breathing exercises and aerobic exercise, as well as to examine the levels of biomarkers (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1) and oxidative stress (TAS, TOS, MDA, and F2-isoprostane) that are thought to play a role in the pathophysiology of depression.

Conditions

• Major Depression

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Breathing exercise	Volunteers participating in the study who were included in the experimental group performed breathing exercises every day for three weeks. They were taught to focus their attention on the hand on their abdominal area while breathing slowly through their nose and to increase abdominal movement while reducing chest movement. They were warned that during inspiration, as air filled their lungs, the hand on their abdomen should rise upward and the hand on their chest should not move excessively. Participants continued the training until they performed the exercise correctly. The diaphragmatic breathing exercise was performed for 10 minutes in the supine position during the first week, in the semi-sitting and/or sitting position during the second week, and in the standing position during the final week.
OTHER	Aerobic Exercise	The ratios determined as reference values for walking training in healthy adults (reference value for women = (2.11\*height) - (2.29\*body weight) - (5.78\*age) + 667 meters - reference value for men = (7.57\*height) - (1.76\*body weight) - (5.0 2\*age) - 309 meters) was performed at 80% intensity for at least 30 minutes on at least 3 days a week for 3 weeks. Aerobic exercise was considered for 3 weeks to facilitate adaptation to exercise and sustainability.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-08-01
• Primary completion: 2025-08-31
• Completion: 2025-09-30
• First posted: 2025-07-14
• Last updated: 2025-09-05

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)