Physical activity levels in Brazilian outpatients with bipolar disorder

The present study aimed to evaluate physical activity (PA) levels in individuals with bipolar disorder. Specifically, it sought to compare these levels across mood states (mania, depression, euthymia).

A cross-sectional study utilizing both subjective (Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire-SIMPAQ) and objective (accelerometers) measures to assess PA. Symptom severity was assessed using The Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). Mood states were detected and assessed using the YMRS and HAM-D scales. One-way ANOVAs were used to compare differences in PA and sedentary behavior (SB) across mood states. Correlates were assessed using the Pearson correlation coefficient.

The sample included 43 individuals, 81.5% female, mean age of 47 years (SD=10.4). Regarding mood states, 17 patients were categorized as euthymic, 11 as manic and 15 as depression. The mania group exhibited the highest PA levels, mean = 206 minutes MVPA/week (SD=146.80), while the depression group was the most sedentary, mean = 428 (SD=224.44) minutes/day. ANOVA revealed significant differences in PA levels among the mood states (mania and depression) in accelerometry MVPA (F = 3.598; p = 0.037; η2p = 0.152) and SIMPAQ MVPA (euthymic, mania, depression) (F = 7.373; p = 0.002; η2p = 0.269).

The mania group demonstrated higher PA levels, whereas the depression group exhibited more SB. These findings highlight distinct PA patterns that may inform clinical management and treatment of bipolar disorder.