Exercise reduces depression symptoms similarly to therapy or medication, review finds

A Cochrane review of 73 randomized trials with nearly 5,000 adults found that exercise reduces depressive symptoms and appears similar in effect to psychotherapy and, with less certainty, to antidepressants in the short term. Long-term benefits are unclear and researchers call for larger, higher-quality trials to study type, dose and who benefits most.

Researchers in the UK reviewed dozens of clinical trials and report that exercise can reduce symptoms of depression, at least in the short term. The review was conducted for the Cochrane Library and led by Andrew Clegg of the University of Lancashire. In total, the team examined 73 randomized trials involving almost 5,000 adults with depression. The authors say exercise’s effects in the available trials appear comparable to psychotherapy and, with less certainty, to antidepressant medication. Key findings: - The review included 73 randomized trials with nearly 5,000 adult participants. - Fifty-seven trials compared exercise with no treatment or a control; ten compared exercise with psychotherapy; five compared exercise with antidepressant medication. - Overall, exercise was reliably better than no treatment, though the average reduction in symptoms was described as modest. - The authors report there is "probably little to no difference" in depressive symptoms between exercise and psychotherapy; comparisons with antidepressants were less certain. - Light or moderate intensity exercise appeared more effective than vigorous activity, and mixed exercise programs or resistance training may have advantages over aerobic exercise alone. - Reported adverse events from exercise were uncommon, and the review notes that long-term benefits are not well established. Summary: The review indicates that exercise can reduce depressive symptoms similarly to other conventional treatments in the short term, but evidence about long-term effects is limited. The authors recommend larger, higher-quality randomized trials to clarify which types and amounts of exercise are most effective and which groups of people benefit most.