Exercise or pills for depression? Study reveals pros and cons of both

Further research could complicate the story by using exercise to help fight depression and other mental health problems. A study compared depressed and/or anxious people who joined a running program to those who I took a course of antidepressants, and found that both groups experienced a similar level of improvement in their mental health after several months. Those who exercised experienced greater physical health benefits, but those who took antidepressants were much more likely to stick to the diet all the time.

The research, carried out by scientists in the Netherlands, is apparently the first of its kind to attempt a direct comparison between exercise and antidepressants.

The experience involved 141 patients diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety who sought care in an outpatient clinic. The patients were divided into two groups: one in which patients underwent group running therapy twice a week, or another in which they took selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a common class of antidepressants, each program lasting 16 weeks. Volunteers were asked if they were willing to be randomly assigned to these groups, and if not, they chose the one they preferred. Most opted for their initial preference and about two-thirds chose exercise.

At the end of the study period, about 44% of volunteers in each group saw enough improvement in their symptoms to be considered in remission. But there was significant differences between the two groups.

For example, those who exercised also lost weight and improved their blood pressure and overall heart function compared to before the study, while those who took antidepressants experienced slight weight gain and increase in their blood pressure.. At the same time, only 52% of participants in the running group fully adhered to the program, compared to 82% of those taking antidepressants, although exercise was the preferred choice for most.

The team results were published In February in the Journal of Affective Disorders and are expected to be discussed this weekend at the annual meeting of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP).

The results, according to study author Brenda Penninx, professor and epidemiologist at Vrije University in Amsterdam, show that exercise and antidepressants can have a beneficial effect on health. play an important role in the treatment of depression and anxiety, although each has its own set of considerations and challenges.

Antidepressants are generally safe and effective. They work for most people. We know that not treating depression leads to worse outcomes; so antidepressants are usually a good choice. » said Penninx in a tone statement published by ECNP. However, we need to expand our therapeutic armamentarium, because not all patients respond to or are willing to take antidepressants.

And while exercise may be an attractive alternative for many patients, the lower adherence rate observed in this study suggests that many people will need support to help them maintain their routine.

It’s not enough to tell patients to go running. Changing physical activity behavior will require adequate supervision and encouragement, as we did by implementing exercise therapy in a mental health care setting, Penninx added.

Previous research has shown that this exercise, and in particular outdoor exercisehas benefits for our mood And brain health in general. A study earlier this year even linked regular exercise and more pain tolerance. While physical activity is undoubtedly beneficial for overall health, it remains to be seen whether it can truly be a treatment for depression.