PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:~The primary objective of this study is to evaluate whether a single bout of aerobic exercise improves sleep efficiency more than a control condition in patients with depression.~SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:~Secondary objectives are to assess the effects of a single bout of aerobic exercise on 1) sleep continuity, 2) sleep architecture, 3) pre-sleep arousal, 4) subjective sleep quality, 5) daytime sleepiness, 6) nocturnal blood pressure, 7) heart rate variability, and 8) the frequency and severity of adverse events.~DESIGN:~This will be a two-arm parallel group, randomized, outcome assessor blinded, controlled, superiority trial. According to sample size calculation a total of 92 patients will be randomized using minimization. The trial will take place in the first five days of the patients' psychosomatic in-patient rehabilitation in the clinic OBERWAID, St.Gallen, Switzerland. The study visits are scheduled is as follows:~Day 0-2: Screening, inclusion, and graded exercise test to determine exercise intensity of intervention~Day 3: Questionnaires for background information~Night 1 (day 3-4): Baseline polysomnography and sleep related questionnaires~Day 4: Randomized allocation (control or exercise condition) and performing corresponding intervention~Night 2 (day 4-5): Follow-up polysomnography and sleep related questionnaires~Day 5: Daytime sleepiness questionnaire
The aim of this trial is to investigate the effects of a single bout of aerobic exercise on sleep in patients with depression.