Depressive disorder is one of the most prevalent and disabling mental health conditions worldwide. Although pharmacological and psychological treatments remain the cornerstone of care, many patients continue to experience residual symptoms, recurrent episodes, or limitations in daily functioning and quality of life. In recent years, exercise-based interventions have gained recognition as a valuable adjunct to conventional treatment, showing beneficial effects on mood regulation, physical health, and overall well-being. Nonetheless, the most effective ways to integrate structured exercise, therapeutic education, and psychotherapy within a coordinated, patient-centered framework are still not well established.
This randomized controlled trial aims to examine the effects of a biobehavioral physiotherapy program that combines graded activity, therapeutic exercise, and patient education delivered concurrently with conventional psychotherapy. The rationale for this combined approach lies in addressing both physical and behavioral components of depression through a structured, progressive, and individualized program. Graded activity is designed to progressively increase patient´s tolerance to physical effort and promote engagement in meaningful daily tasks, while therapeutic education targets maladaptive beliefs about pain, fatigue, and activity avoidance. Together, these components aim to enhance self-efficacy, functional performance, and adherence to recovery-oriented behaviors.
The intervention will be delivered online under professional supervision, ensuring accessibility and continuity of care. The program will last eight weeks and will include structured exercise sessions emphasizing strength, mobility, and aerobic capacity, as well as educational modules focused on pacing, goal setting, and self-management strategies. The use of telehealth enables real-time monitoring, feedback, and personalized adjustments to exercise dosage and progression. Participants in the control group will continue receiving conventional psychotherapy for depression, following their regular clinical routine.
To ensure methodological rigor, randomization will be computer-generated with a 1:1 allocation ratio. Outcome assessments will be conducted by an independent evaluator blinded to group allocation. Standardized and validated measures will be used to assess depressive symptoms, quality of life, physical activity levels, functional capacity, self-efficacy, and sleep quality. Assessments will occur at baseline, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and 12-week follow-up to capture both immediate and sustained effects of the program.
Data will be analyzed following an intention-to-treat approach. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and repeated-measures models will be applied to determine between-group differences and time-by-group interactions, adjusting for baseline scores and potential covariates. Effect sizes will be calculated to estimate the magnitude of the observed effects.
This study is expected to contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting integrative, biobehavioral approaches to the management of depression. By combining exercise and education within a psychotherapeutic framework, the program seeks to promote behavioral activation, enhance perceived control, and improve overall quality of life. If effective, this model could serve as a scalable, cost-effective, and accessible intervention for patients with depressive disorders, expanding the role of physiotherapy and interdisciplinary collaboration in mental health care.
