Simple daily habit may help ease depression more than medication, researchers say

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A new study suggests that exercise cantreat depressionjust as effectively as therapy and antidepressants.

A Cochrane review looked at 73 randomized controlled trials involving nearly 5,000 adults with a depression diagnosis.The studiescompared exercisewith either other active treatments — such as therapy or medication — or with “inactive interventions,” like being placed on a wait list or in a control group.

The London-based team discovered that exercise may be “moderately effective” compared to no therapy in reducing depression symptoms, according to a press release.

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“There is probably little to no difference in depressive symptoms between people undertaking exercise and those receivingpsychological therapy,” the authors noted in a study discussion on Cochrane’s website, and “there may be little to no difference in depressive symptoms between people doing exercise and those taking antidepressants.”

The analysis discovered that exercise may be “moderately effective” compared to no therapy in reducing depression symptoms.(iStock)

The review found that light- to moderate-intensity exercise was more beneficial for easing depression symptoms than vigorous exercise.

further researched, the review noted.

Three adults in workout class, squatting on exercise balls.

Mixed exercise programs and resistance training appeared to be “more effective” in easing depression symptoms than just aerobic exercise.(iStock)

Professor Andrew Clegg, lead author of the review, wrote in a statement that exercise “appears to be a safe and accessible option for helping to managesymptoms of depression.”

“This suggests that exercise works well for some people, but not for everyone, and finding approaches that individuals are willing and able to maintain is important,” he said.

Study limitations and risks

The researchers noted that there was a high risk of bias in some of the studies included in the review, and noted that the long-term effects of exercise on depression symptoms remain uncertain.

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Clegg noted that “larger, high-quality studies” are needed to determine which types of exercise work best and whether the benefits last over time.

The comparison between exercise and other treatments and how they benefit people’s quality of life were also “inconsistent and uncertain.”

About 21 million U.S.adults had at least one major depressive episode in a recent year — equivalent to roughly 8.3% of all U.S.adults, according to the National Institutes of Health.(iStock)

“Future research should focus on improving the quality of the studies, working out which characteristics of exercise are effective for different people, and ensuring different types of people are included in the studies so thathealth equity issuescan be considered,” they went on.

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About 21 million U.S.adults had at least one major depressive episode in a recent year — equivalent to roughly 8.3% of all U.S.adults, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Depression symptoms include feelings of sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, guilt or irritability, as well as loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities.Fatigue, poor concentration,sleep disturbances, appetite changes and social withdrawal are also red flags, in addition to thoughts about dying or suicidal ideations.

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The condition is most often treated byantidepressant medicationsand psychological therapies, such as talk therapy.Anyone who needs help should consult their doctor.