Effects of Aerobic Exercise in an Older Adult with Chronic Major Depressive Disorder Who Untreated with Pharmacotherapy

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a common and serious mental illness associated with a high comorbidity, a significantly reduced physical health, and quality of life. So, treatments on MDD are needed to improve quality of life and physical health including gait, balance and muscle strength, in addition to continuing efforts to promote psychological well-being. Aerobic Exercises (AE) are one of the treatment options in MDD. AE as a treatment intervention for MDD provides comparable benefits, rates of response and remission rates to antidepressants. As a result dramatic improvements were seen in both physical and cognitive functions in a patient with MDD. In this study, the short and longterm effects of AE in a 76 years older adult with chronic MDD who untreated with pharmacotherapy were examined. The case was discussed with the recent literature.