Efficacy of an Exercise Intervention to Decrease Depressive Symptoms in Veterans With Hepatitis C

Efficacy of an Exercise Intervention to Decrease Depressive Symptoms in Veterans With Hepatitis C

In this study, depressed veterans with hepatitis C will be randomly assigned to the control group or to the exercise intervention group. The exercise intervention is designed to begin slowly for most participants and to progress within each participant's target heart rate range for moderate intensity exercise. The exercise intervention is a 12 week home based walking program. Ideally individuals will walk for 30 minutes, at a moderate intensity, a minimum of three times per week. However, the duration and relative intensity will be tailored for each individual.

Central Hypothesis Veterans who receive the exercise intervention will be significantly less symptomatic for depression than veterans in the control group.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or female, age 18 or older
• Documentation of positive hepatitis C status as indicated by a detectable HCV viral load by polymerase chain reaction
• Mild to moderate depressive symptoms as evidenced by a BDI II score of ≥ 14
• Able to read and understand English
• Written/signed informed consent specific to this protocol
• Being sedentary that is , less than 30 minutes of planned low to moderate intensity exercise 2 days per week

Exclusion Criteria:

• Suicidal ideations
• Current interferon therapy or planning to begin interferon therapy during the next three months
• Diagnosis of Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Any medical condition, disorder, or medication that contraindicates participation in a mild to moderate intensity walking program