Exercise may be as effective as medications for depression, review suggests

A Cochrane review of 73 randomized trials with nearly 5,000 adults found that exercise produced effects similar to antidepressants or psychotherapy for mild to moderate depression in the available studies, though direct comparisons were limited; authors and clinicians noted it is important to discuss treatment options with a healthcare provider.

New research pooled randomized trials to examine whether exercise helps with depression and how it compares with other treatments. The Cochrane review combined data from 73 trials that included nearly 5,000 adults diagnosed with depression. In the trials available, researchers reported that exercise showed effects similar to antidepressants or psychological therapy for people with mild to moderate depression. Study authors and clinicians emphasized that the finding does not eliminate other treatment options and that individual circumstances vary. Study details and notes: - The review analyzed 73 randomized controlled trials involving about 5,000 adults with depression. - Many trials compared exercise to no treatment or placebo; relatively few trials offered direct comparisons with antidepressants or psychotherapy. - Across the available data, exercise was reported as producing effects comparable to antidepressants or psychological therapy in mild to moderate cases. - Experts described possible reasons exercise may help, including distraction from negative thoughts, social contact, increased self-efficacy, and changes in neurotransmitters such as endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. - The review did not determine which specific exercise types or intensities are best. Summary: The review reports that, in the trials available, exercise showed similar effects to antidepressants or psychotherapy for people with mild to moderate depression. Authors and clinicians noted limitations in the evidence, including that few direct-comparison studies had large sample sizes and that the optimal exercise type or intensity was not specified. Undetermined at this time.