Exercise prior to cognitive behavior therapy sessions for depression: a feasibility pilot study

Exercise directly improves mood and cognition. Providing exercise immediately before cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) sessions may therefore enhance the clinical responsiveness to CBT. The present pilot study examined the feasibility and direction of effect of exercise+CBT versus CBT in depressed outpatients using a stepped wedged design. Thirty-three patients received either group-based CBT (12-16 weeks) or group-based exercise+CBT within specialized mental healthcare settings. Weekly therapist-supervised exercise sessions (45 min, moderate intensity, running/indoor cycling) were provided directly before the CBT sessions, with encouragement for home-exercise. Feasibility was assessed through recruitment, retention, and safety, alongside treatment adherence and treatment effects on clinically relevant outcomes. Recruitment yielded 37% of eligible patients with similar retention rates across conditions. No adverse events were reported. The exercise+CBT condition attended 63% of supervised exercise sessions (72% at moderate/vigorous intensity) and fewer CBT sessions (42%) compared to the CBT condition (54%). The conditions showed similar improvements in depressive symptoms, rumination, and CBT skills over time. Our study shows in a specialized mental health care routine practice population that providing exercise before CBT sessions is feasible, warranting a future randomized controlled trial.