Regular physical activity may significantly alleviate symptoms of depression, according to a recent comprehensive review by Cochrane. The analysis indicates that exercise can be as effective as psychological therapy in managing depression, providing a promising alternative for those seeking treatment.
This extensive review, led by researchers at the University of Lancashire, evaluated data from 73 randomized controlled trials involving nearly 5,000 adults diagnosed with depression. The findings reveal that light to moderate exercise can lead to moderate reductions in depressive symptoms, often matching the improvements seen with psychological therapies. Additionally, while exercise showed comparable benefits to antidepressant medications, the evidence supporting this comparison was deemed less certain.
Understanding the Findings
Depression is a global health challenge, affecting more than 280 million people worldwide and contributing to significant disability. With this backdrop, the review highlights exercise as a cost-effective and accessible intervention. It supports both mental and physical health, making it an attractive option for patients and healthcare providers alike.
The Cochrane review found that engaging in light to moderate activity over multiple sessions produced the best outcomes. While no single form of exercise was definitively superior, programs that combined various activities—including resistance training—seemed to yield better results than aerobic exercise alone. Activities such as yoga, qigong, and stretching were not included in this analysis but may warrant further exploration.
Safety and Side Effects
Reported side effects from exercise were minimal, with occasional muscle or joint injuries noted among participants. In contrast, individuals taking antidepressants often experienced common medication-related issues, such as fatigue and gastrointestinal discomfort. Professor Andrew Clegg, the lead author of the review, emphasized, “Our findings suggest that exercise appears to be a safe and accessible option for helping to manage symptoms of depression.” Nonetheless, he cautioned that while exercise benefits some individuals, it may not be a universal solution.
The review also indicated that individuals who completed between 13 and 36 exercise sessions experienced greater improvements in their depressive symptoms. Despite these encouraging findings, the long-term effectiveness of exercise as a treatment remains uncertain due to limited follow-up in existing studies.
The recent update to the review incorporated 35 new trials since earlier versions were published in 2008 and 2013. While the expanded evidence base supports the initial conclusions, many studies included were small, often with fewer than 100 participants. This limitation makes it challenging to draw definitive conclusions.
Professor Clegg stated, “Although we’ve added more trials in this update, the findings are similar. Exercise can help people with depression, but if we want to find which types work best, for whom, and whether the benefits last over time, we still need larger, high-quality studies.”
As mental health continues to be a crucial aspect of public health, the results of this review underscore the potential of exercise as a valuable tool in managing depression. By integrating physical activity into treatment plans, individuals may find a sustainable and effective means of improving their mental well-being.
