Exercise produces a lot of benefits. It reduces the risk of stroke and heart disease. It lowers the "bad cholestrol" while increasing the "good cholesterol." It helps to reduce blood pressure and maintain a healthy weight. According to research published online this month in Psychosomatic Medicine, exercise is also an effective treatment for depression.
Researchers tested the effectiveness of 4 types of depression treatments: a led exercise regimen, a home exercise program, an antidepressant known as a selective seritonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), and a placebo, or a pill that does not contain any medicine. They sorted 202 adults (153 women) with depression into each of the groups and followed them for 4 months.
They found that 41% of all patients no longer met the criteria for major depressive disorder. When they broke the groups down by treatment group, they saw improvements in all 4 groups. Secifically 45% of the led exercise group, 40% of the home-based exercise program, 47% of the antidepressant group, and 31% of the placebo group saw improvements. Interestingly, the rates of improvement were very similar for those in the led exercise group and those taking antidepressants. Further, although participants in the 3 "active" treatment groups (led exercise, home exercise, and antidepressants) had greater improvements than the placebo group, nearly one-third of those in the placebo group still got better. The investigators noted that improvements in depression may be related to factors other than treatment type, such as attention from mental health care providers and monitoring of symptoms.
Per the investigators, it is important to note that this study does not demonstrate that exercise is better than SSRIs for relieving depression. So if you are taking antidepressants, this is not license to stop your medication without first discussing the pros and cons of such a decision with your doctor. However, the study authors d0 note that exercise can increase positive thoughts, enhance self-concept, and change how the body responds to stress, all of which can lead to fewer depressive symptoms. So if you have depression or are prone to a depressed mood, try some exercise - you might see improvements in your mood, as well as other areas of your life.
Researchers tested the effectiveness of 4 types of depression treatments: a led exercise regimen, a home exercise program, an antidepressant known as a selective seritonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), and a placebo, or a pill that does not contain any medicine. They sorted 202 adults (153 women) with depression into each of the groups and followed them for 4 months.
They found that 41% of all patients no longer met the criteria for major depressive disorder. When they broke the groups down by treatment group, they saw improvements in all 4 groups. Secifically 45% of the led exercise group, 40% of the home-based exercise program, 47% of the antidepressant group, and 31% of the placebo group saw improvements. Interestingly, the rates of improvement were very similar for those in the led exercise group and those taking antidepressants. Further, although participants in the 3 "active" treatment groups (led exercise, home exercise, and antidepressants) had greater improvements than the placebo group, nearly one-third of those in the placebo group still got better. The investigators noted that improvements in depression may be related to factors other than treatment type, such as attention from mental health care providers and monitoring of symptoms.
Per the investigators, it is important to note that this study does not demonstrate that exercise is better than SSRIs for relieving depression. So if you are taking antidepressants, this is not license to stop your medication without first discussing the pros and cons of such a decision with your doctor. However, the study authors d0 note that exercise can increase positive thoughts, enhance self-concept, and change how the body responds to stress, all of which can lead to fewer depressive symptoms. So if you have depression or are prone to a depressed mood, try some exercise - you might see improvements in your mood, as well as other areas of your life.
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