Date of Award
4-1-2019
Document Type
Open Access Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Medical Science (MMSc)
First Advisor
Gihyun Yoon, MD
Abstract
Major Depressive Disorder is the leading cause of disability among mental illnesses worldwide, but existing therapies fail to adequately treat approximately 30-50% of depressed patients. Ketamine has promising rapid antidepressant effects, but these effects are of short duration. Exercise yields moderate antidepressant effects both as a primary treatment and as an adjunct to standard therapies, but has not been investigated as an adjunct to ketamine. This study seeks to determine whether the addition of regular aerobic exercise regimens to ketamine therapy will potentiate or prolong ketamine’s antidepressant effects. We propose a single-blind, randomized controlled trial in which patients will be randomly assigned to receive intravenous ketamine or ketamine plus a structured exercise regimen. The potentiation or prolongation of ketamine’s antidepressant effects with exercise may increase the number of patients responsive to therapy and may reduce the cost and potential adverse effects of ketamine therapy.
Recommended Citation
McCarthy, Sean J., "Ketamine Plus Exercise for Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial" (2019). Yale School of Medicine Physician Associate Program Theses. 65.
https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/ysmpa_theses/65
