Date of Presentation

5-2-2024 12:00 AM

College

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine

Poster Abstract

Background: Depression is a major health issue that affects an estimated 350 million people worldwide. Typically, depression is associated with individuals who follow a poor diet and are physically inactive. Exercise is one form of treatment for depression and has been shown to reduce the risk of depression and protect against the onset of depression. The PHQ-9 Depression Score is a tool used to screen individuals for depression on a scale from 0-27. The goal of this study is to identify a relationship between consistent exercise and depression symptoms.

Methods: An original Qualtrics survey was created to be distributed with an informational flier to gyms and family medicine offices in the South Jersey area, as well as various social media sites. Data collection began on June 1st, 2023, and ended on July 3rd, 2023. The data was analyzed using SPSS, where statistical tests were performed to evaluate correlations.

Results: Results from the survey were reported using Spearman Rank Correlations and distribution charts. Gender, race, years of exercise, days per week of exercise, length of exercise sessions, and total types of exercise were correlated with total PHQ-9 scores.

Discussion: Results showed that female participants and those who are not Caucasian had higher PHQ-9 scores. Total years of exercise, days per week of exercise, length of exercise sessions, and total types of exercise were associated with lower PHQ-9 scores.

Conclusion: Exercising consistently with longer sessions and a wide variety of types of exercise can help reduce symptoms of depression.

Keywords

Exercise, depression, depression treatment, well-being, Depressive Disorder, mental health, Psychological Well-Being, Physical Activity, Female, Adults

Disciplines

Alternative and Complementary Medicine | Medicine and Health Sciences | Mental Disorders | Movement and Mind-Body Therapies | Primary Care | Psychiatric and Mental Health | Psychiatry

Document Type

Poster

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May 2nd, 12:00 AM

The Correlation of Consistent Exercise with Depressive Symptoms

Background: Depression is a major health issue that affects an estimated 350 million people worldwide. Typically, depression is associated with individuals who follow a poor diet and are physically inactive. Exercise is one form of treatment for depression and has been shown to reduce the risk of depression and protect against the onset of depression. The PHQ-9 Depression Score is a tool used to screen individuals for depression on a scale from 0-27. The goal of this study is to identify a relationship between consistent exercise and depression symptoms.

Methods: An original Qualtrics survey was created to be distributed with an informational flier to gyms and family medicine offices in the South Jersey area, as well as various social media sites. Data collection began on June 1st, 2023, and ended on July 3rd, 2023. The data was analyzed using SPSS, where statistical tests were performed to evaluate correlations.

Results: Results from the survey were reported using Spearman Rank Correlations and distribution charts. Gender, race, years of exercise, days per week of exercise, length of exercise sessions, and total types of exercise were correlated with total PHQ-9 scores.

Discussion: Results showed that female participants and those who are not Caucasian had higher PHQ-9 scores. Total years of exercise, days per week of exercise, length of exercise sessions, and total types of exercise were associated with lower PHQ-9 scores.

Conclusion: Exercising consistently with longer sessions and a wide variety of types of exercise can help reduce symptoms of depression.

 

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