Exercise for Depression – The Pulse
An updated Cochrane review suggests that regular exercise can reduce symptoms of depression about as effectively as psychological therapy.
Led by researchers at the University of Lancashire, the analysis reviewed 73 randomised controlled trials involving nearly 5000 adults with depression. Compared with no treatment, exercise produced moderate improvements in depressive symptoms. When measured against psychological therapy, exercise showed similar benefits based on moderate certainty evidence and it also appeared comparable to antidepressant medication, although this evidence was less certain.
Light-moderate-intensity exercise performed over multiple sessions worked best, with greater improvements seen after completing 13 to 36 sessions. Programs combining different types of activity, including resistance training, appeared more effective than aerobic exercise alone. Side effects were uncommon and generally mild.
While exercise is not a cure-all and long-term effects remain unclear, the findings highlight it as a safe, low-cost and accessible tool for managing depression.
Source: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
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