Regular exercise does not appear to be effective in reducing symptoms of depression, a new study has claimed, contradicting the current clinical guidance, which recommends physical activities to help those suffering from the mental illness.
The research, published in the British Medical Journal, found that adding a physical activity intervention to usual care did not reduce symptoms of depression more than usual care alone.
To carry out the study, a team from Bristol University and Exeter University, recruited 361 patients aged 18 to 69 years, who had recently been diagnosed with depression. The participants were then split into two groups to receive either the physical activity intervention in addition to usual care, or usual care on its own.
Both the groups were followed up for 12 months to assess any change in their symptoms. But, it was found that adding exercise failed to alleviate symptoms of depression more than usual care alone, the Daily Telegraph reported.
The study, which is the first large-scale trial to assess the effects of exercise on depression, contrasts with clinical guidance that recommends exercise to help those suffering from the mental illness.
Previously most of the evidence for the positive effect of physical activity in treating depression has come from studies of small, non-clinical samples using interventions that would not be practicable in an NHS setting.
“Numerous studies have reported the positive effects of physical activity for people suffering with depression but our intervention was not an effective strategy for reducing symptoms,” said researcher Melanie Chalder of the University of Bristol’s School of Social and Community Medicine.
“However, it is important to note that increased physical activity is beneficial for people with other conditions such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease and, of course, these conditions can affect people with depression.”
Co-researcher Dr. John Campbell from University of Exeter added: “Many suffering from depression would prefer not to have to take traditional anti-depressant medication preferring instead to consider alternative forms of therapy.
“Exercise and activity appeared to offer promise as one such treatment, but this carefully-designed research study has shown that exercise does not appear to be effective in treating depression.”
Keywords: mental illness, depression
This is dangerous advice. In 2005, John P. A. Ioannidis, Director of the Stanford Prevention Research Center published a paper called "Why Most Published Research Findings Are False". This is worth googling for. Medical Science is notorious for flip-flopping on health advice. The wise choice is to take the moderate path. Exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and have a circle of friends. Depression in the west is mainly due to their obsession for privacy, resulting in total alienation from others.
Only solution for depression is the time tested Yogic Exercises, Pranayama and Dhyana. Westerners will realise this slowly but surely! So, not until those white skin fellows say it in their style after their so called research, our people agree to it sheepishly! Unfortunately, till then if some one wants to teach it in the schools, these branded Indian 'intellectuals' yell it as Safronisation!
When we keep ourselves occupied with something, the mind is always kept busy, and the chances of falling into depression can be restricted. When the body is idle, and the mind does all the thinking then we slowly fall into depression unaware. If exercise is going to keep us occupied then I think it would help people in depression.
I dont believe in these sort of controversial findings with no clinical trials. I am not physician or doctor to comment on this. As a lay man thinking logically i believe when we do execercise our heart pumps and blood circulates systamatically to all organs including brain. Once the flow of blood is more naturally it will surely change your cognitive pattern of thinking too.
In medical science, double blind randomized controlled studies are the only way to prove/disprove any well established concept/thought(in this case,exercise leading to benefit in reduction).So, this pang of doubt,is certainly welcome.
There is no substitute to regular exercises. But it should be moderate i.e. within limits also.
Depending on individual's health status one should go for it.
Using one's own weight(like- walking, jogging,sit-ups, push-ups, chin-
ups to name a few popular ones) for doing exercise has win win situation
in all aspects.
From my side, regular exercise or playing regularly helps one in
engaging in an entirely new activity which helps in reducing the burden
of stress at the least momentarily. In one shot, context of your mind is
changed.
These fads keep coming. My personal experience is regular exercise is great in reducing as well as avoiding depression.In fact there are times when I was mentally in good position only because of regular and heavy exercise.
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