Activity as good as therapy and drugs for depression

Feeling depressed?  Then start getting active—it could be as effective as an antidepressant.

Regular physical activity may ease symptoms of depression about as effectively as psychological therapy, such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) or drugs.

Researchers from the Cochrane Collaboration reviewed 73 randomized controlled trials involving nearly 5,000 adults diagnosed with depression that had looked at the impact of exercise and daily activity.

Exercise seems to have a moderate effect on depressive symptoms, which is similar to the results from therapy and SSRI antidepressants.

Light to moderate exercise seemed to be more effective than intense workouts, and symptoms started to improve after between 13 and 36 sessions of exercise.

No single form of exercise clearly outperformed others. However, programmes that combined different types of activity and resistance training appeared more effective than aerobic exercise alone.

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