Organizational Strategies and Psychosocial Skills for Maintaining Physical Activity After a Depressive Episode: a 3-month Post-rehabilitation Study.

With nearly 280 million people affected worldwide (2022), the management of depression represents a major public health issue. The study titled "Organizational Strategies and Psychosocial Skills to Maintain Physical Activity after a Depressive Episode: A 3-Month Post-Rehabilitation Study" (AP&Depression) fits within this context. Physical activity (PA) is now recognized as an effective complementary therapy to pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments, helping to regulate mood and reduce depressive symptoms. However, despite these proven benefits, individuals who have experienced a depressive episode often struggle to maintain regular physical activity once they leave the hospital setting. This study aims to identify the mechanisms that influence the continuation of PA after hospitalization by exploring organizational strategies, psychosocial skills, and individual determinants involved in this process.

Depression is a debilitating illness characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest, chronic fatigue, and impaired cognitive and physical abilities (DSM-5, 2013). Among the aggravating factors, sedentary behavior plays a key role, whereas PA is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of relapse. Yet, 67.8% of individuals with depression do not meet the recommended 150 minutes of weekly PA, and this figure rises to 85.7% when activity is measured objectively. This situation is explained by several barriers: lack of motivation, low self-efficacy, fluctuating mood disorders, social isolation, and limited access to exercise facilities. Conversely, certain factors facilitate the resumption of PA after a depressive episode, including structured support, the establishment of routines, social support, and therapeutic education.

The study relies on a qualitative methodology using semi-structured interviews conducted with 15 patients who stayed at the Rehabilitation Center of the Clinique des Portes de l'Eure. Participants are selected according to the following criteria: aged over 18, medically diagnosed with a depressive episode, underwent rehabilitation, and completed an initial assessment at the Maison Sport Santé. They will be interviewed three months after discharge to explore their PA practices. Data will be analyzed using NVivo software, following the COREQ (Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research) guidelines. The analysis of transcripts will help identify the organizational strategies implemented, the psychosocial skills involved, and the individual determinants influencing the maintenance of regular PA.

The expected results should highlight that patients adopt various strategies to maintain PA after hospitalization. Session planning, the gradual integration of PA into daily life, and the anticipation of obstacles are major levers for establishing a sustainable routine. In addition, psychosocial skills, such as stress management and interaction with a support network, emerge as essential elements for maintaining regular physical activity. However, several obstacles may be identified, including persistent fatigue, mood fluctuations, lack of organization, and social isolation. These findings underscore the importance of personalized support after rehabilitation, particularly through mechanisms such as Patient Therapeutic Education (PTE) or individualized follow-up in Maisons Sport Santé.

The aim of this study is to shed light on the mechanisms that enable individuals who have experienced a depressive episode to autonomously maintain physical activity after hospitalization. This research seeks to provide concrete recommendations for improving support during and after hospitalization to enhance adherence to PA. The study's conclusions could contribute to the development of new therapeutic approaches aimed at improving patients' quality of life.