Introduction: Physiotherapists often encounter people with musculoskeletal disorders and pain, which are often accompanied by a variety of intense unpleasant emotions, including anxiety, and that can affect patient's mental health. Growing research shows an increased level of depression among individuals with musculoskeletal disorders and individuals in pain. The pain can usually be managed with both medication and psychological treatments, but the role of physical activity as an adjunct to medications and psychological treatments is becoming more and more popular. The effects of aerobic exercise were most commonly studied. Purpose: The purpose of the literature review was to analyze and present the effects of aerobic exercise on depression. Methods: We used a descriptive method with a literature review. We searched online and in databases: Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, PubMed, MEDLINE, Elsevier, Cochrane Library and COBISS.SI. The search was limited to literature available in Slovenian and English language, not older than 10 years. Results: Six scientific studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results are homogeneous, indicating that aerobic exercise helps reduce depression, there were statistically significant changes in the groups performing aerobic exercise. Participating in aerobic exercise was linked to a lower rate of depression, higher levels of self-esteem, better general mental health, and improved quality of life. In the research there were no statistically significant differences between the different types of aerobic exercise. Thus, aerobic exercise can be an effective supportive treatment method, but it cannot be a stand-alone treatment. Discussion and conclusion: Empirical evidence suggests that aerobic exercise can be effectively used to reduce depression. Therefore, physiotherapists can carefully advise their patients and motivate them to become more physical active and consequently somewhat relieve their depression. Special attention should also be paid to the transition from exercise as a part of the rehabilitation to the long-term maintenance of exercise. In order to increase the generalizability of the results obtained, future research should include larger number of participants, especially males. It is important to raise awareness about depression, since physiotherapists ought to be able to choose the right approach towards patients who show symptoms of depression.
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