Effect of Aerobic exercise on depression symptoms and quality of life in Patients with major depressive disorder: a systematic review Protocol

Introduction Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent mental illness characterised by persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities and cognitive impairment. While pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments remain the standard for MDD management, non-pharmacological interventions, such as aerobic exercise, have gained attention for their potential benefits in reducing depressive symptoms and improving quality of life.

Although several studies have explored the effectiveness of aerobic exercise in managing MDD, there is still no comprehensive synthesis of the existing evidence. This study aims to synthesise existing evidence on the effects of aerobic exercise interventions in the management of individuals diagnosed with MDD.

Methods The systematic review will be conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocol (PRISMA-P) guidelines. A comprehensive search will be conducted across Cochrane, Medline, PEDro, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science and BioMed Central databases.

Search terms will be developed using the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome and Study design (PICOS) framework, incorporating keywords and Medical Subject Headings related to ‘Major Depressive Disorder’, ‘Aerobic Exercise’, ‘Depression’, and ‘Quality of Life’.