Sleep disorders are common to many mental disorders, including depression. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of exercise on sleep quality in the complex treatment of depressive disorders. The exercise program included cardio, strength, endurance, flexibility exercises and was conducted under the guidance of a physiotherapy instructor. Sleep quality was evaluated at the beginning and at the end of the inpatient phase of treatment. The severity of sleep disturbances was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) methodology. Two groups of patients were formed: (1) the main group - patients engaged in physical exercises according to the appropriate program in addition to standard treatment (n = 107, average age 41.88±12.66 years); (2) comparison group – patients receiving standard treatment in accordance with the Protocol of Diagnosis and Treatment (n = 100, average age 42.54±13.63 years). In both groups, a significant reduction in sleep problems occurred during treatment. At the end of the inpatient phase of treatment, the differences between the groups were significant for a number of indicators of disturbed sleep (associated with breathing, snoring, temperature discomfort) with the best results in the main group. Exercise has contributed to a better solution to sleep problems in patients with depression than standard treatment with pharmacotherapy.

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