Effects of a physical exercise program on depression symptoms, inflammatory markers, and neurocognitive indicators in people with bipolar disorder: a randomized study

• Grant number: 24/02369-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: April 30, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Psychiatry
• Principal Investigator: Lucas Melo Neves
• Grantee: Lucas Melo Neves
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: André Luis Lacerda Bachi ; Beny Lafer ; Brendon Stubbs ; Carolina Nunes França ; Felipe Barreto Schuch ; Luiz Henrique da Silva Nali ; Saulo dos Santos Gil
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/08521-7 - Acute response to physical exercise on cytokine and BDNF expression in people with bipolar disorder, BP.IC; 25/08525-2 - Impact of physical activity level on cytokine and BDNF expression in people with bipolar disorder, BP.IC

Abstract

Introduction: There is a lack of evidence regarding the effect of physical exercise (a structured, guided and systematized form of physical activity) as a strategy combined with usual drug treatment on the symptoms of depression in people with bipolar disorder (BD). Consequently, the most recent recommendation from the World Health Organization for the practice of physical activity/physical exercise does not address its possible benefits in TB. Additionally, clarification of the potential benefit of physical exercise in the main mechanisms such as inflammatory biomarkers, neurocognitive indicators and physical parameters of people with BD is necessary. Objective: To verify the effect of 12 weeks of a physical exercise program in people with BD. Methods: Randomized clinical trial [control group: n=30 (usual treatment); experimental group: n=30 (usual treatment + physical exercise). For 12 weeks a combined physical exercise program (3 weekly sessions) will be carried out by the experimental group. Measures evaluated: a) clinical outcome - symptoms of depression; b)expression of inflammatory biomarkers; c) neurocognitive indicators: Cognitive tests; neurotrophin (BDNF) expression; d) physical parameters. Expected results: In this RCT, the first in the world carried out on the subject of exercise and BD, we plan to demonstrate the potential benefit of a combined physical exercise program on the clinical aspects of people with BD, as well as the possible impacts on inflammatory biomarkers, neurocognitive indicators and parameters physicists. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

FERREIRA, THAIS ALVES DE PAIVA; NEVES, LUCAS MELO; JIMENEZ-MALDONADO, ALBERTO; CARDOSO, LARISSA KELLY DE ARAUJO; FERREIRA, PAULO EGDIO ARAUJO; DA SILVA, JONIEL RONNEY GOMES; BARROS, CLARA ANDRESSA DE ARAUJO; SANTANA, NATHANAEL LEAL; DE ARAUJO, IVONEIDE MARIA RODRIGUES; MONTEIRO, PAULA ALVES; et al. Short-time resistance training enhances sleep quality in obese and non-obese young women. Sleep and Breathing, v. 29, n. 2, p. 8-pg., 2025-05-01. (24/05155-7, 24/15308-5, 24/02369-6)

FERREIRA, JULIA SADER NEVES; DA SILVA, ROBERTA MOLAZ; HAMUCHE, CAROLINA FAUZI; DO NASCIMENTO, RAFAEL BONFIM; RIBEIRO, ANA PAULA; GIL, SAULO; NEVES, LUCAS MELO. Positive ADHD Scores are Associated With Higher Screen Time and Anxiety Symptoms in Medical Students: Cross-sectional Study. ACTAS ESPANOLAS DE PSIQUIATRIA, v. 53, n. 3, p. 10-pg., 2025-05-01. (24/15308-5, 23/15629-3, 24/02369-6, 24/05155-7)