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Date of Award
Spring 2025
Degree Name
Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant)
Department
Physician Assistant; College of Health Sciences
First Advisor
Kelly Moss, PA-C
Abstract
In the modern practice of medicine, the primary care clinician must often treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in patients with comorbid type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). While exercise has been proposed as a first-line treatment for this cohort of patients, existing research has yet to robustly define the best type of physical activity intervention for MDD in comparison to pharmacological and psychological interventions. For the aforementioned reasoning, this review aims to investigate the role of exercise as a treatment for MDD in patients with T2DM and to provide guidance based on current research for management in the primary care setting. This CME article will highlight relevant studies investigating the role of exercise and its utility in comparison to the current first line MDD treatments of psychiatric medication and talk therapy.
Recommended Citation
Tumiski, Laura, "Exercise as a First-Line Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder in Patients with Comorbid Type II Diabetes Mellitus" (2025). Capstone Showcase. 45.
https://scholarworks.arcadia.edu/showcase/2025/pa/45
Additional Files
Capstone Final Draft 1.pdf (272 kB)Paper
Tumiski Poster Presentation (CME specific).pptx (1186 kB)
Exercise as a First-Line Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder in Patients with Comorbid Type II Diabetes Mellitus
In the modern practice of medicine, the primary care clinician must often treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in patients with comorbid type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). While exercise has been proposed as a first-line treatment for this cohort of patients, existing research has yet to robustly define the best type of physical activity intervention for MDD in comparison to pharmacological and psychological interventions. For the aforementioned reasoning, this review aims to investigate the role of exercise as a treatment for MDD in patients with T2DM and to provide guidance based on current research for management in the primary care setting. This CME article will highlight relevant studies investigating the role of exercise and its utility in comparison to the current first line MDD treatments of psychiatric medication and talk therapy.