Gait Patterns and Mood in Everyday Life: A Comparison Between Depressed Patients and Non-depressed Controls

Abstract Background Previous laboratory findings suggest deviant gait characteristics in depressed individuals (i.e., reduced walking speed and vertical up-and-down movements, larger lateral swaying slumped posture). However, since most studies to date assessed the laboratory, it is largely an open question whether this association also holds more naturalistic, everyday life settings. Thus, within current study we (1) aimed at replicating these results (2) investigated could predict change mood. Methods We recruited a sample of patients (n = 35) suffering from major depressive disorder age gender matched non-depressed controls 36). During 2-day assessment continuously recorded patterns, general movement intensity repetitively participant’s Results replicated previous found that as compared showed well posture during episodes walking. Moreover, independent clinical diagnoses, higher speed, movements significantly predicted subsequent positive mood, while changes mood did not patterns. Conclusion In sum, our support expectations embodiment relationship between bodily expression emotion processing itself) depression observable naturalistic settings, manifested way people walk. The data further motor displays affect life.