Understanding the barriers and facilitators of physical activity promotion for depression among healthcare professionals: a systematic review

Despite the evidence-based benefits of physical activity (PA) as a treatment for depression, many Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) do not promote PA to patients. We conducted a systematic review to identify the barriers and/or facilitators reported by HCPs working with individuals with depression, either exclusively or alongside other health conditions. Data were extracted and thematically analysed using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). From 10,619 articles identified, 23 studies involving 5,711 HCPs across 12 countries met the inclusion criteria of; 1) HCPs working with individuals with depression, either exclusively or alongside other health conditions, and 2) primary data on barriers and/or facilitators experienced by HCPs for promoting PA for the treatment of depression. We identified three key themes: assumptions about patients, perceived HCP beliefs and capabilities, and contextual influences. From the studies included in this review, key barriers to the promotion of PA for depression are HCPs’ perceptions about barriers to patients becoming more active, and a lack of a supportive environment for HCPs to promote PA for depression. HCPs having good knowledge of the benefits of PA and perceiving PA as an effective treatment for depression were key facilitators.