Depression is not affected by physical activity
Physical exercise does not help to stave off clinical depression, according to a new study.
The research, published in the British Medical Journal, suggests that adding a physical activity intervention to usual care did not reduce symptoms of depression more than usual care alone.
Current NHS guideline state that regular physical activity 'has benefits for mental health' and 'can help people recover from depression'.
However, the study of 300 people with mild or severe depression found no evidence that exercising brough significant benefit to those assigned to a physical activity programme.
Mental illness affects one in six adults in Britain at any one time.
The study, carried out by teams from the Universities of Bristol, Exeter and the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, is the first large-scale, randomised controlled trial to establish the effects of exercise on depression.
Previously most of the evidence for the positive effect of physical activity in treating depression has originated from studies of small, non-clinical samples using interventions that would not be practicable in an NHS setting.
John Campbell, professor of general practice and primary care at Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry (University of Exeter), said: “Many patients suffering from depression would prefer not to have to take traditional anti-depressant medication, preferring instead to consider alternative non-drug based 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.”
Tagged in Health Therapy exercise depression University fitness tips Workout