Publication Name	World Journal of Psychiatry
Manuscript ID	127987
DOI	10.5498/wjp.127987
Country	China

Category	Psychiatry
Manuscript Type	Minireviews
Article Title	Exercise as adjunctive therapy for depression: Evidence, mechanisms, and individualized prescription
Manuscript Source	Unsolicited Manuscript
All Author List	Xin-Chuang Shi, Jun-Rui Cao, Jie Ma and Suliman Khan
Funding Agency and Grant Number
Corresponding Author	Xin-Chuang Shi, School of sports, Zhengzhou Tourism College, Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou 450000, Henan Province, China. shixinchuang@zztrc.edu.cn
Key Words	Depressive disorder, major; Exercise therapy; Physical activity; Neuronal plasticity; Circadian rhythm; Adjunctive treatment
Core Tip	Exercise can reduce depressive symptoms and improve physical fitness, but its clinical effects should not be equated with proof of a specific molecular mechanism. This review distinguishes treatment evidence from observational prevention findings and preclinical or biomarker-based explanations. It emphasizes individualized, progressive exercise within depression care, with explicit attention to comparator quality, medical and psychiatric safety, adherence, and physical-health outcomes. Biomarker-guided prescriptions and an optimal antidepressant exercise time remain unvalidated.
Citation	Shi XC, Cao JR, Ma J, Khan S. Exercise as adjunctive therapy for depression: Evidence, mechanisms, and individualized prescription. World J Psychiatry 2026; In press DOI: https://doi.org/10.5498/wjp.127987
PDF	127987-in-press.pdf

Received	2026-09-14 03:28
Peer-Review Started	2026-09-14 03:29
First Decision by Editorial Office Director
Return for Revision	2026-10-09 09:11
Revised	2026-10-16 10:34
Publication Fee Transferred	2026-10-26 08:32
Second Decision by Editor	2026-11-12 05:48
Second Decision by Editor-in-Chief
Final Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-11-12 10:07
Articles in Press	2026-11-12 10:07
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	2220-3206 (online)
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