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

Launched by UNIVERSIDAD SAN JORGE · May 13, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, called the "Physical Therapy for Depression Quality of Life Pilot Study," is exploring how physical therapy can help improve the quality of life for adults with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The study will include patients who are 18 years or older and are currently receiving treatment for MDD at the short-stay psychiatric unit of Royo Villanova Hospital in Zaragoza. Eligible participants will take part in a physical therapy program that includes exercises to improve movement, strength, balance, and relaxation, along with education on how physical activity can positively affect mental health.

During the trial, each participant will attend physical therapy sessions twice a week in addition to their regular medical and psychological care. The main goal is to see if this physical therapy program can effectively enhance their well-being and health status while they are hospitalized. Additionally, the study will gather feedback from both patients and healthcare professionals about their experiences with this approach. This research aims to understand how beneficial and practical it is to combine physical therapy with traditional treatments for depression.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria for Patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD):
• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Be 18 years of age or older.
• • Be currently admitted to the short-stay inpatient unit of the Psychiatry Department at Royo Villanova Hospital (Zaragoza).
• • Have a physician-confirmed diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) according to current diagnostic criteria (ICD-10 or DSM-5).
• • Be receiving regular medical, psychological, and/or pharmacological treatment for their MDD.
• • Not require continuous supervision and control by nursing staff during data collection and the intervention.
• • Have provided written informed consent to participate in the study.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Presence of a comorbid physical or mental illness whose clinical characteristics and/or severity impede comprehension and/or adherence to the physical therapy interventions.
• • Presence of a physical or mental dysfunction or disability that constitutes a total or partial contraindication for physical therapy techniques.
• • Legal incapacity or pregnancy.
• • Present a significant risk of self-harm or suicide requiring clinical management that takes precedence over study participation (this exclusion will be determined by the responsible medical team).
• Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria for Healthcare Professionals at Royo Villanova Hospital:
• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Be a healthcare professional (physician, nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, etc.) or non-healthcare staff member (nursing assistant, orderly, etc.) within the short-stay inpatient Psychiatry Department at Royo Villanova Hospital (Zaragoza).
• • Be actively employed under a single, permanent, or temporary employment contract throughout the duration of the physical therapy intervention implementation period.
• • Have provided written informed consent to participate in the study.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Professionals from the unit who were not actively employed under a single, permanent, or temporary employment contract throughout the entire duration of the physical therapy intervention implementation period.
• • Be on sick leave or parental leave during the period of qualitative data collection.
• • Have been transferred to another unit or healthcare center prior to the commencement of qualitative data collection.