Exercise may be as effective for treating depression as psychological therapies

A Cochrane review of 73 studies found exercise produced a moderate reduction in depressive symptoms compared with no treatment or placebo, and in analyses of 10 trials exercise appeared comparable to psychological therapies; evidence comparing exercise with antidepressants was limited and of low certainty.

Researchers at the University of Lancashire published a Cochrane review of 73 studies that assessed exercise as a treatment for depression. The review reported a moderate reduction in depressive symptoms when exercise was compared with no treatment or a placebo. It found exercise to be comparable to psychological therapies in analyses drawn from ten clinical trials. The authors also noted possible comparability with antidepressants but described that evidence as limited and of low certainty. Key findings: - Exercise showed a moderate benefit in reducing depressive symptoms versus no treatment or placebo. - In analyses of ten trials, exercise appeared comparable to psychological therapies. - Evidence comparing exercise with antidepressants was limited and rated low certainty. - Light to moderate intensity exercise tended to show better results than vigorous activity. - Best results were reported when participants completed between 13 and 36 exercise sessions. - Programmes that combined resistance (weights) and aerobic training appeared to outperform aerobic-only programmes. Summary: The review suggests exercise can reduce depressive symptoms and may be comparable to psychological therapy in some trials, while the evidence comparing exercise with antidepressants is limited and uncertain. The authors highlighted limitations including small or methodologically weak studies, short follow-up periods, and that many trials involved structured, often supervised programmes with motivated volunteers. Undetermined at this time.