AUTHOR=Schilling René , Cody Robyn , Kreppke Jan-Niklas , Faude Oliver , Beck Johannes , Brand Serge , Donath Lars , Hatzinger Martin , Imboden Christian , Lang Undine , Mans Sarah , Mikoteit Thorsten , Oswald Anja , Schweinfurth-Keck Nina , Gerber Markus 

TITLE=Correspondence between the Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SIMPAQ) and accelerometer-based physical activity in inpatients treated for major depressive disorders in comparison to non-depressed controls

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sports and Active Living

VOLUME=6

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2024.1447821

DOI=10.3389/fspor.2024.1447821

ISSN=2624-9367

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Introduction</title><p>Major depressive disorders (MDD) are a leading health concern worldwide. While first line medication treatments may fall short of desired therapeutic outcomes, physical activity (PA) interventions appear to be a promising and cost-effective add-on to improve symptoms of depression. This study aimed to address challenges in the assessment of PA in inpatients treated for MDD by examining the correspondence of self-reported and accelerometer-based PA.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>In 178 inpatients treated for MDD (mean age: <italic>M</italic> = 41.11 years, SD = 12.84; 45.5% female) and 97 non-depressed controls (mean age: <italic>M</italic> = 35.24 years, SD = 13.40; 36.1% female), we assessed self-reported PA via the Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SIMPAQ) for one week, followed by a week where PA was monitored using an accelerometer device (Actigraph wGT3x-BT). Additionally, we examined correlations between PA levels assessed with the SIMPAQ and exercise determinants in both groups.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>Descriptively, inpatients treated for MDD showed lower levels of light PA on accelerometer-based measures, whereas they self-reported increased levels of certain types of PA on the SIMPAQ. More importantly, there was only a small degree of correspondence between self-reported and actigraphy-based PA levels in both in patients (<italic>r</italic> = 0.15, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05) and controls (<italic>r</italic> = 0.03, ns). Only few significant correlations were found for self-reported PA (SIMPAQ subscores) and perceived fitness, whereas self-reported PA and estimated VO<sub>2</sub>max were unrelated. Furthermore, only weak (and mostly statistically non-significant) correlations were found between exercise determinants and SIMPAQ-based exercise behavior in both populations.</p></sec><sec><title>Discussion</title><p>Our findings emphasize the intricate challenges in the assessment of PA, not only in inpatients treated for MDD, but also in non-depressed controls. Our findings also underline the necessity for a diversified data assessment. Further efforts are needed to refine and improve PA questionnaires for a more accurate data assessment in psychiatric patients and healthy controls.</p></sec>