Leisure-Time Physical Activity Impact on Quality of Life, Anxiety, Depression, and Clinical Intensity of Pemphigus Vulgaris

Background: Currently, physical activity serves as a preventive approach to reduce the side effects of medical conditions and mental disorders, as well as to enhance public health. Objectives: This study aims to explore the impact of physical activities on depression, anxiety, quality of life (QoL), and the severity of clinical symptoms in patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV). Methods: This study was conducted as an experimental investigation on patients with PV who were referred to Razi Hospital in Tehran. A total of 76 patients were selected as the statistical sample and were randomly divided into 2 equal groups: An intervention group and a control group. The intervention involved engaging in recreational walking in a park for 60 minutes every other day, for three sessions a week, over a period of 8 weeks. Results: The intervention group showed improved QoL compared to the control group after 8 weeks (P-value = 0.045, 5.2 ± 2.97 vs. 7.5 ± 6.45); (P-value = 0.066, 4.97 ± 1.89 vs. 6.1 ± 4). Additionally, there was a noticeable reduction in anxiety levels in the intervention group compared to the control group after 8 weeks (6.92 ± 4.7 vs. 9.31 ± 4.97, P-value = 0.03). However, there was no significant difference in depression and the severity of symptoms between the 2 groups over the two-month period (4.6 ± 6.03 vs. 4.3 ± 7.78, P-value = 0.067). Nonetheless, significant improvements in anxiety were observed in the intervention group.