Investigating the effects of Physical Activity Counselling on depressive symptoms and physical activity in female undergraduate students with depression: A multiple baseline single-subject design

- Severity of depressive symptoms decreased in response to PAC.
- Self-reported physical activity levels increased in response to PAC.
- Results support PAC for activating individuals with depression.

BackgroundDepression is one of the most common health problems faced by university students. Evidence supports that physical activity can significantly reduce the risk of depression, though activating this population remains challenging. One potential evidence-based strategy, to help people become more active, is Physical Activity Counselling (PAC). The current study examined the effects of a two-month PAC intervention on depressive symptoms and physical activity in female undergraduate students with depression.MethodsThe study followed a multiple baseline, single-subject design with five participants. There were four separate study phases: baseline, intervention, end point and follow-up. Physical activity was measured objectively using accelerometers and self-reported measures of depressive symptoms and physical activity were collected via online surveys.ResultsVisual analyses revealed that depressive symptoms decreased and self-reported physical activity increased from baseline throughout the duration of the study in all five participants. Statistical analyses supported these results. Cohen's effect size estimates of grouped averages revealed that decreases in depressive symptoms and increases in self-reported physical activity from baseline throughout the duration of the study were large.ConclusionsThese results provide initial support for PAC as a potential method of increasing physical activity and reducing depressive symptoms in female undergraduate students with depression.