Examination of a Peer-assisted Physical Activity Pilot Program for College Students With Depression: Wellcat Fit
Year: 2013
Type: dissertation
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine if a peer-assisted physical activity \nprogram, Wellcat Fit, affected depression symptoms, self-efficacy for physical activity, \nand physical activity participation in college students with depression. Nine students 18 \nto 32 years of age, diagnosed with mild to moderate depression, participated in an eightweek \nphysical activity program as part of the treatment for their depression. Participants \nin Wellcat Fit completed the Zung Self-Rating Depressions Scale (ZSDS), Self-Efficacy \nfor Exercise Scale (SEES), and the modified Seven Day Recall of Self-Reported Physical \nActivity (PAR) before and after the program. Mean scores for the ZSDS showed a \nnon-significant trend of improvement of 46.78 to 36.22 over the eight-week program. \nMean scores for the SEES showed a significant improvement from 2.14 to 3.33 over the eight-week program. Scores on the modified Seven Day Recall indicated improvements \nin physical activity participation. Despite the small sample size, the positive \ntrends in the data indicate that Wellcat Fit may be an effective adjunct intervention for \ntreating college students with depression. Wellcat Fit should be examined with a larger population to determine effectiveness.
Author: Garrett Rieck
Language: English
Topic: Physical Activity and Health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1647987773