Physical activity is associated with subsequent affective well-being in day hospital patients with a diagnosis of depression: A combined ecological momentary assessment and accelerometry study

Physical activity is linked to improved affective well-being in individuals with depression, but its effects in day hospital settings have not been studied yet. Thirty-two patients ( M age = 39.09, SD = 13.49; 46.9% females) completed baseline questionnaires and a 14-day survey using the Experience Sampling Method (ESM) via a mobile app to report on affective states and physical activity, resulting in 1574 observations. Wrist accelerometers measured physical activity objectively during this period. Both subjective and objective physical activity were positively associated with positive affect, irrespective of patient characteristics such as age, gender, BMI, baseline depression severity, the presence of additional somatic diagnoses, antidepressant use, and whether measurements were taken on weekdays in day hospital care or on weekends when patients were at home. Physical activity is associated with momentary improvements in positive affect in day hospital patients, independent of patient characteristics. Future research should investigate the role of these effects for longer-term improvement in depressive symptoms and study contextual influences, such as indoor versus outdoor activity. • Higher positive affect after physical activity in depressed day hospital patients. • Both subjective and objective physical activity are linked to better well-being. • No significant link between physical activity and negative affect is observed. • Effects are consistent across demographics, including gender, age, and depression.