Empowering Health: Acute Psychological Effects of an Electromyostimulation-Whole-Body-Workout

Empowering Health: Acute Psychological Effects of a Single Electromyostimulation-Whole-Body-Workout in Participants With Depression

The study investigates the acute psychological effects of a whole-body-workout using Electromyostimulation (EMS) in participants with depression and healthy individuals.

EMS-whole-body-workouts are less time-consuming and effort-intensive but generate physical effects which are comparable to conventional strength training. Therefore EMS could lower the barrier to physical activity. The present study focusses on acute psychological effects of an EMS workout - especially with regard to the reduction of depressive symptoms. Physical activity is notably important for patients with depression and shows multiple positive psychological and physical effects. But due to disease-related factors like lethargy, physical activity is far too rarely implemented. Therefore EMS-whole-body-workouts could provide an opportunity to generate positive psychological effects through a less (subjective) cost-intense strength training.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subject familiarized with experimental procedure and had given written informed consent
• Depression, according to ICD-10
• BDI-II Score ≥ 14
• Able to understand German
• Reachability of participant for the two training sessions

Exclusion Criteria:

• Contraindications for physical exercise
• Contraindications for EMS-use
• Current EMS-use
• Pregnancy
• Borderline personality disorder
• Bipolar Disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa
• Dementia
• Acute suicidality
• Substance dependencies with actual consumption (except nicotine)