Physical activity and mental disorders: a case-control study on attitudes, preferences and perceived barriers in Italy.

Background: Mentally ill people experience greater difficulty than the general population in exercising regularly.

Aims: We aimed to evaluate attitudes displayed and barriers perceived towards physical activity in a sample of psychiatric patients.

Methods: A total of 138 (M = 48, F = 90) patients attending a community mental health centre were compared with a control group made up of 138 subjects not affected by mental disorders matched for gender, mean age and education.

Improving physical quality of life with group physical activity in the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder.

Background: The aim of the study was to compare the change in quality of life over 32 weeks in depressed women assuming antidepressant drug with (experimental group) or without (control group) physical exercise from a study which results on objective dimension of outcome were already published.

Methods: Trial with randomized naturalistic control. Patients selected from the clinical activity registries of a Psychiatric University Unit.

Efficacy of physical activity in the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorders: preliminary results.

Background: No controlled trials have evaluated the long term efficacy of exercise activity to improve the treatment of patients with Major Depressive Disorders. The aim of the present study was to confirm the efficacy of the adjunctive physical activity in the treatment of major depressive disorders, with a long term follow up (8 months).

Methods: Trial with randomized naturalistic control.