The Acute Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Nocturnal and Pre-Sleep Arousal in Patients with Unipolar Depression: Preplanned Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Unipolar depression is associated with insomnia and autonomic arousal. The aim of this study was to quantify the effect a single bout aerobic exercise on nocturnal heart rate variability pre-sleep arousal in patients depression. This designed as two-arm, parallel-group, randomized, outcome assessor-blinded, controlled, superiority trial. Patients primary diagnosis unipolar aged 18–65 years were included. intervention consisted 30 min moderate-intensity bout. control group sat read for min. interest RMSSD during sleep period assessed polysomnography. Secondary outcomes additional well subjective A total 92 randomized either (N = 46) or group. Intent-to-treat analysis ANCOVA follow-up RMSSD, adjusted baseline levels minimization factors, did not detect significant allocation (β 0.12, p 0.94). There no evidence differences between both groups any other measure nor measures cognitive somatic As first trial its kind population, findings need be confirmed further studies. should encouraged regularly order profit from known benefits depressive symptoms, which are supported by extensive literature.