Exercise for Depressed Smokers

Inclusion Criteria:

1. are between 18 and 65 years of age

2. are current smokers (i.e., smoking at least 10 cigarettes per day)

3. have currently elevated depressive symptoms (CES-D ≥ 6)

4. are sedentary, i.e., have not participated regularly in aerobic exercise (for at least
90 minutes per week during the past three months)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. DSM-IV diagnosis of current mania

2. DSM-IV diagnosis of bipolar rapid cycling

3. lifetime history of psychotic disorder or DSM-IV diagnosis of current psychotic
symptoms

4. DSM-IV diagnosis of current substance abuse or dependence in the past 6 months

5. DSM-IV diagnosis of anorexia or bulimia nervosa

6. current suicidality or homicidality

7. marked organic impairment

8. current use of antidepressant medication for less than 3 months or change in
antidepressant medication or dosage in the past 3 months,

9. physical disabilities or medical problems that would prevent or hinder participation
in a program of moderate intensity exercise (i.e., physician denied medical clearance)

10. current pregnancy or intent to become pregnant during the next 12 weeks

11. contraindications for use of the nicotine patch (e.g., pregnancy, recent myocardial
infarction, arrhythmia, angina, untreated hypertension, untreated diabetes, and
previous adverse reaction to the patch)

12. current illness or medications that may alter proposed inflammatory markers (e.g.,
acute infection, immune disorders, aspirin)

13. current use of any pharmacotherapy or other treatment for smoking cessation.