- A large new analysis of meta-studies found that exercise was more beneficial than standard psychotherapy or medication for conditions such as anxiety and depression.
- A new study finds that essentially all forms of exercise have significant mental health benefits.
- Short, high-intensity exercise programs produced the greatest benefits.
- Exercise provided the greatest mental health benefits for people with depression, those diagnosed with HIV or kidney disease, pregnant and postpartum women, and other healthy adults.
An extensive analysis of existing research concludes that physical activity should be considered a first-line treatment for people living with mental health problems. It extracts the conclusions of about 100 meta-reviews.
According to the study’s lead author, physical activity is 1.5 times more effective than medication or cognitive-behavioral therapy in reducing mild to moderate symptoms of depression, psychological stress, and anxiety. Dr. Ben Shin.
Although the value of physical activity for people with depression and anxiety is widely recognized, it is not considered as often as research claims to manage such conditions.
Studies show that all forms of exercise can benefit mental health, but higher-intensity activity provides the most potent benefits.
This study found that shorter exercise programs provided more benefits than longer regimens.
This means that individuals with mental health issues do not need to engage in intensive, long-term exercise for maximum therapeutic benefit.
This research BJM Sports Medicine.
World Health Organization (WHO)
About 301 million people have anxiety disorders, and that figure includes 58 million children and adolescents. 280 million people suffer from depression.
WHO’s latest mental health data are for 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, but WHO’s first estimates for 2020 suggest a 26% to 28% increase in mental health disorders. .
This study included 97 meta-reviews of 1,039 randomized controlled trials involving 128,119 participants.
This body of research generally concludes that exercise produces similar effects to psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy, but differences in research methodologies have made it difficult to develop an overall consensus.
The trials evaluated different forms of exercise at different dosages. We also targeted different population subgroups and compared them to different control groups.
Ultimately, Dr. Singh said:
of the University of Victoria Professor Vasso Apostolopoulossaid a person not involved in the study medical news today A growing body of research supports the benefits of exercise for various mood states, including anxiety, stress, and depression.
This effect is due to endorphins, mitochondria, mammalian targets,
The thermogenic hypothesis suggests that an increase in body temperature from exercise may reduce muscle tone, alter neuronal activity, and reduce anxiety.
Professor Apostolopoulos also notes that exercise “is a combination of several different processes (inflammation,
“As researchers, we see the positive effects that exercise has on overall health, and mental health in particular, and exercise is a good option or an add-on therapy that complements current treatments.”
— Professor Vasso Apostolopoulos
Analysis found that physical activity reduced mental health problems from a median of 42% to 60%. Psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy produced much smaller improvements, between 22% and 37%.
“i got you [that] 150 minutes of various types of physical activity such as brisk walking, weightlifting and yoga each week significantly reduce depression, anxiety and emotional distress compared to usual care such as medication,” Singh said. says Dr.
The analysis concluded that exercise provided the greatest benefits for depression, HIV and kidney disease, pregnant and postpartum women, and other healthy adults.
This study does not investigate the benefits that exercise provides at all stages of life. However, it was found to be effective for everyone over the age of 18, including the elderly.
“Of note, for those over 45 and/or in poor health, many studies have shown that 20 to 40 minutes of walking is [each] The sun was particularly effective in improving depression and anxiety,” Dr. Singh said.
The study confirms that exercise “should be a legitimate first-line treatment for mental health problems, rather than just a ‘surplus’ as is often the case in medicine.”
Since psychiatrists and psychologists specialize in mental health, Dr. Singh and Professor Aposthropoulos need to work with medical professionals with knowledge of physical activity and movement to develop a comprehensive treatment plan for their patients. agreed that there is
“Treatment plans may include a combination of treatments such as psychotherapy and medication, as well as lifestyle approaches such as regular exercise, a balanced diet and socializing.”
— Dr. Ben Singh
