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NCT Number: NCT07062783

Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Biomarkers in Depression

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Major Depression Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Depression Depressive Disorder Depressive Disorder, Major Mental Disorders Mood Disorders

Age range

18 year–40 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Kutahya Health Sciences University

Kütahya, Merkez, 43020, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location status: Recruiting

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Individuals who volunteer to participate in the study,
  • Between the ages of 18 and 40,
  • Have been diagnosed with clinical depression by a psychiatrist according to DSM-5 criteria

Exclusion criteria

  • Individuals with chronic conditions accompanying depression,
  • Those with walking difficulties
  • Those with respiratory system disorders

Treatment and study plan

Breathing exercise

Other

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.

Aerobic Exercise

Other

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. Oxidative stress biomarkers

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 weeks

    It has been reported that the interaction between oxidative stress and the immune system is important, and that activated immune inflammatory pathways can trigger oxidative stress. In our study, an ELISA test will be conducted to investigate how exercise affects the levels of oxidative stress (TAS, TOS, MDA, and F2-isoprostane) biomarkers, which play a role in the pathophysiology of depression.

  2. Proinflmatuar sytokines

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 weeks

    It is believed that increased production of key proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1 (IL-1) and acute phase reactants plays an important role in the development of depression as a result of immune system involvement.

    In our study, an ELISA test will be conducted to investigate how exercise affects the levels of inflammation (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1) which play a role in the pathophysiology of depression.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Hatice Solak, Assos. Prof

CONTACT

[email protected]

+90274 260 0043

Vedat Kurt, Assos. Prof.

CONTACT

[email protected]

+90 553 3813177

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Kutahya Health Sciences University

Other

Collaborators

  • Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit

Registry information

Official study title

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

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jul 14, 2025
Registry last updated
Sep 5, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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