Using Physical Exercise to Prevent and Supplement Depression Treatment in Adolescents

Abstract Exercise is considered a supplemental intervention for the treatment of depression among the adolescent population. Concerns are raised by the increasing socioeconomic burden of depression among adolescents in society. In the debate on the efficacy of exercise as a treatment strategy, issues are raised on the beneficial effects, intensity, and structure of the exercise. This DNP project seeks to determine if educating healthcare providers on the importance of physical exercise for adolescents diagnosed with depression will increase provider utilization of the education module. The quality improvement project examines the impact of physical activities on depression management among adolescents. The problem of depression among adolescents is rampant. A study by Belvederi et al. (2019) revealed that the global rate of depression among children between the ages of 10 and 19 rose from 11.6% to 12.9%. Therefore, it is rational to find evidence-based methods to prevent and control depression among adolescents. The quality improvement project used questionnaires to collect data from project participants. Chart audits were used to measure provider compliance in distributing educational tools to patients. Also, the quality improvement project utilized educational handouts to improve participants' knowledge of physical exercises required in depression management. The primary intervention in the quality improvement project was providers educating patients on the importance and significance of physical exercise to manage adolescent depression. It involved the benefits of physical exercises