Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the condition of depression through mindful or non-mindful physical exercises and had at least 10 participants aged at least 18 years of age were eligible for inclusion. Studies that did not use a comparison group or included participants with a mixed diagnosis of psychiatric syndromes were excluded. Included interventions lasted between one and four months and comprised physical exercise treatment with mindful elements (qigong, yoga and tai chi) and physical exercise treatment without mindful elements (aerobic exercise, walking, pram walking, jogging and other forms of physical exercise). Interventions were most frequently compared with no treatment, but comparisons with medication and different types of physical exercise were undertaken. Outcomes were assessed using a variety of depression outcome measures. The mean age of participants in the included studies, where stated, ranged from 28.2 to 82.4 years; 62% were female. Depression severity varied from minor to moderate.
Two authors independently selected studies for inclusion in the review. It was not stated how disagreements were resolved.