The study investigates the acute psychological effects of a whole-body-workout using Electromyostimulation (EMS) in participants with depression and healthy individuals.
EMS-whole-body-workouts are less time-consuming and effort-intensive but generate physical effects which are comparable to conventional strength training. Therefore EMS could lower the barrier to physical activity. The present study focusses on acute psychological effects of an EMS workout - especially with regard to the reduction of depressive symptoms. Physical activity is notably important for patients with depression and shows multiple positive psychological and physical effects. But due to disease-related factors like lethargy, physical activity is far too rarely implemented. Therefore EMS-whole-body-workouts could provide an opportunity to generate positive psychological effects through a less (subjective) cost-intense strength training.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
34
20 minutes whole-body-workout
Electromyostimulation-intensity 5 (muscle stimulation)
Electromyostimulation-intensity 1 (no muscle stimulation)
Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin - Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
Berlin, Germany
Change in depressive symptoms
Depressive symptoms are measured using the State-Scale of the State-Trait Depression Scales (STDS) by Spaderna, Schmukle \& Krohne (2002). The SDTS State-Scale has two subscales with each 5 likert scaled items with values ranging from 1 to 4. Higher scores mean a worse outcome for the first subscale and a better outcome for the second subscale.
Time frame: From directly before the intervention to immediately after the intervention - both: before/after the EMS-training-session and before/after the Placebo-session
Change in anxiety symptoms
Anxiety symptoms are measured using the the State-Scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) by Laux, Glanzmann, Schaffner \& Spielberger (1981). The STAI State-Scale has 20 likert scaled items with values ranging from 1 to 4, higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Time frame: From directly before the intervention to immediately after the intervention - both: before/after the EMS-training-session and before/after the Placebo-session
Change in general self-efficacy
General self-efficacy is measured using the General-Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE) by Jerusalem \& Schwarzer (1981). The GSE has 10 likert scaled items with values ranging from 1 to 4, higher scores mean a better outcome.
Time frame: From directly before the intervention to immediately after the intervention - both: before/after the EMS-training-session and before/after the Placebo-session
Change in intention for physical activity
Intention for physical activity is measured using two likert scaled items by Petzold et al. (2017). Values ranging from 1 to 4, higher scores mean a better outcome.
Time frame: From directly before the intervention to immediately after the intervention - both: before/after the EMS-training-session and before/after the Placebo-session
Change in self-efficacy regarding physical activity
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Self-efficacy is measured using two likert scaled items by Petzold et al. (2017). Values ranging from 1 to 4, higher scores mean a better outcome.
Time frame: From directly before the intervention to immediately after the intervention - both: before/after the EMS-training-session and before/after the Placebo-session