Physical therapy to improve quality of life in major depression

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This pilot uses a concurrent nested mixed-methods design with a quantitative pre–post component and qualitative focus groups to test a physical therapy program embedded in inpatient care for Major Depressive Disorder. Trained physical therapists will deliver twice-weekly 45-minute sessions including active joint mobility, progressive strength training with body weight or elastic bands, balance exercises, and progressive muscle relaxation, together with brief health education on the benefits of physical activity and adherence strategies. The program is tailored to each patient's functional capacity and length of stay (anticipated 3–6 weeks), and outcome measures will be collected before and after the intervention. Focus groups will gather participant experiences and perceived barriers to continuing activity after discharge.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

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.

Where it's running

• Hospital Royo Villanova
  Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: José Lesmes Poveda López — Universidad San Jorge
• Study coordinator: Carolina Jiménez Sánchez, Dr
• Email: cjimenez@usj.es
• Phone: +0034649612644

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.