Exercise plus medication versus medication alone for depression

This trial is testing whether aerobic exercise, monitored with a smart wristband, can help antidepressant medication work better for people with depression. Half of the participants will do aerobic exercise alongside their regular antidepressant treatment, while the other half will receive their usual medication first, then start exercise later. The researchers want to understand how exercise helps the brain and mood, and to find out which people benefit most from this combined approach.

Depression is a serious condition that doesn't always get better with medication alone. This trial exists to see whether adding regular aerobic exercise can improve how well the treatment works and help people feel better faster—while also learning why exercise helps and how to personalize recommendations for different patients.