In April 2019 researchers from Saudi Arabia and Egypt published the results of their study to assess the influence of moderate-intensity continuous aerobic exercise on the level of depression in individuals with congestive heart failure. A total of 46 individuals, aged 40-60 years, with depression, congestive heart failure related illnesses and physical disabilities were involved in the study. 23 of the individuals underwent moderate-intensity continuous aerobic exercise, 3 times weekly for a period of 12-weeks, whilst 23 received the traditional treatment without any exercise. It should be noted that there were no significant differences between the two groups at the start of the study. Results showed that both groups experienced a decrease in their level of depression. However, those undertaking moderate-intensity continuous aerobic exercise experienced a reduction of 81% in their depression levels whilst the reduction in the control group was 47%.
Abdelbasset WK, Alqahtani BA. A randomized controlled trial on the impact of moderate-intensity continuous aerobic exercise on the depression status of middle-aged patients with congestive heart failure. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 Apr;98(17): e15344