Individualized Exploration of Aerobic Exercise-assisted Treatment of Depression

Inclusion criteria

• Aged 18-45 years (including 18 and 45), no gender restriction;
• Meets the diagnostic criteria for depressive disorders according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V);
• Outpatients or inpatients; Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 17-item (HAMD-17) score ≥ 14; Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) screening negative to exclude bipolar disorder patients; and Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S) score ≥ 4;
• Maintained on antidepressant treatment for at least 4 weeks or not using antidepressant treatment;
• Written informed consent obtained from the patient.

Exclusion criteria

• Diagnosed with other mental disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, alcohol or substance abuse/dependence, eating disorders, etc.;
• Individuals with intellectual disabilities or who are unable to cooperate for other reasons, or those lacking or having incomplete civil capacity during the onset of illness;
• Suffering from neurological or organic brain diseases (such as stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, brain tumors, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, etc.) and a history of severe traumatic brain injury;
• Suffering from conditions with high exercise risk, such as hypertension or heart disease;
• Currently undergoing systematic psychological therapy;
• In the 3-minute step test, males with a recovery heart rate more than131 and females with a recovery heart rate more than 140;
• Physically restricted individuals unable to participate in physical exercise;
• Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) score ≥ 2;
• Pregnant women or individuals with contraindications to MRI examinations;
• Individuals with severe suicidal tendencies or at risk of harming others.