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Exercise for depression

review

Cooney, G.M., Dwan, K., & Greig, C.A. (2013). Exercise for depression: review.

What does the evidence from the review tell us?

  • Exercise is moderately more effective than no therapy for reducing symptoms of depression.
  • Exercise is no more effective than antidepressants for reducing symptoms of depression, although this conclusion is based on a small number of studies. 
  • Exercise is no more effective than psychological therapies for reducing symptoms of depression, although this conclusion is based on small number of studies.
  • The reviewers also note that when only high-quality studies were included, the difference between exercise and no therapy is less conclusive.
  • Attendance rates for exercise treatments ranged from 50% to 100%.
  • The evidence about whether exercise for depression improves quality of life is inconclusive.

What should happen next?

The reviewers recommend that future research should look in more detail at what types of exercise could most benefit people with depression, and the number and duration of sessions which are of most benefit. Further larger trials are needed to find out whether exercise is as effective as antidepressants or psychological treatments.

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Exercise for depression

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G.M. Cooney
K. Dwan
C.A. Greig

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depressie
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