Study Shows Exercise Can Be Just as Effective as Medication When Treating Major Depression

Study Shows Exercise Can Be Just as Effective as Medication When Treating Major Depression
I recently read about a study published in the journal
Psychosomatic Medicine. The study was done at Duke
University by Dr. James Blumenthal, a professor of medical
psychology.

Dr. Blumenthal conducted an experiment looking at the
impact of exercise on depression. The study included over
150 men and women with major depression. Over a four month
period the participants were divided equally into three
groups.

- One group exercised

- One took anti-depressants

- And one did both

All the groups showed some improvement, but the rate of
recovery for the group that did exercise alone and the
group that took anti-depressants was unbelievably
comparable.

This finding is a huge benefit to people who suffer from
this debilitating affliction. And the great follow up was
that after 10-months, those in the exercise group had the
lowest relapse rate.

Although even small amounts of exercise - such as 50
minutes per week - had an effect, participants who engaged
in the most intensive exercise had the largest improvements
both in physical fitness and mental state.

After demonstrating that 30 minutes of brisk exercise three
times a week is just as effective as Medication therapy in
relieving the symptoms of major depression in the short
term, medical center researchers have now shown that
continued exercise greatly reduces the chances of the
depression returning.

Last year, the Duke researchers reported on their study of
156 older patients diagnosed with major depression. To
their surprise, they found that after 16 weeks, patients
who exercised showed statistically significant and
comparable improvement relative to those who took
anti-depression medication, or those who took the
medication and exercised.

This article seemed particularly appropriate to send to you
during the holidays. Unfortunately, at this time of year
many people can get themselves into a bad mindset. The
winter doldrums, loneliness and the overall season
sometimes does not bring out the best in people.

While there are many people who suffer from clinical
depression who need to be on medication, it is great to see
that someday there may be a way to find a great
substitution between exercise and pills or powders.

Until that time, whether you suffer from the disease or you
just find yourself in a rut... know that there are doctors
and researchers out there who are proving that if you get
yourself moving, you can not only get your physical body
more healthy but that your mind, mood and mental state can
reap huge benefits from physical activity as well.

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