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When treating depression Running may be as effective as antidepressants if you feel anxious or anxious, according to a new study. But experts say the solution may not be so easy for everyone.
due to the spread Researchers in Amsterdam looked at depression and anxiety and their effects on health, how best to reduce these effects, and whether antidepressants might be effective. or lifestyle intervention. As well as certain aspects of physical health, mental health can also be affected in many ways.
The study is the first to “compare the effects of antidepressants with the effects of running exercise on anxiety, depression, and overall health,” the study said. news release For research presented at the annual meeting of the European Society of Neuropsychopharmacology on October 6th.the study Published earlier this year Published in the Journal of Affective Disorders.
“Antidepressants are generally safe and effective. They work for most people,” study co-author Brenda Penninx, professor of psychiatry and epidemiology at Vrije University in Amsterdam, Netherlands, said in a news release. “We know that not treating depression at all can lead to worse outcomes, so antidepressants are generally a good choice. Nevertheless, not all patients respond to antidepressants. We need to expand our treatment arsenal because they don’t have it or are willing to take antidepressants.”
Researchers studied the effects of running therapy and taking antidepressants (in this case escitalopram) on these health factors in 141 people with depression, anxiety disorders, or both. During the 16-week study, members of the antidepressant group took the medication, while members of the running group conducted 45-minute supervised group running sessions, with the goal of running two to three times a week.
After the trial period, approximately 44% of both groups experienced improvement in their depression and anxiety symptoms, making the medication and running equally effective, the study found. The running group also saw improvements in weight, waist size, blood pressure, and heart health, while those measurements worsened slightly in the medication group.
“We have long thought of exercise as an adjunct support to more formal treatments such as psychotherapy and drug therapy,” said Carmel Choi, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School in Boston. “I’m here,” he said in an email. Choi was not involved in the research.
“In some cases, we find that exercise can be as effective as antidepressants, with fewer side effects and more physical health benefits,” Choi said.
But whether general exercise or medication is best for treating depression and anxiety remains an open question and depends on multiple factors, he added.
Which treatments are most effective will depend in part on individual perceptions and preferences, including a person’s motivation to exercise and concerns about potential side effects of drugs, experts said.
In general, “if there is no interaction between the interventions, there is no reason to ask patients to choose only one of these interventions,” says Felipe, adjunct professor of psychiatry and mental health at the Federal University of Santa Maria in Brazil. Barrett-Schuch said in an email. . Schuch was not involved in the study.
“There are no extra risks in taking medication and exercising; they are not mutually exclusive,” Schuk added. “Of course, people with depression have no problem taking both.”
There is also a research-based challenge to answering the question of which treatment is best. For example, although the severity of depression varies, most studies “tend to focus on milder forms of depression because they are more common and safer to study,” says Ben, a health-related researcher at the University of South Australia. Mr. Singh said. Not involved in the research.
As a result, little is known about treating severe depression with exercise, said Palko Siu, associate professor of kinesiology at the University of Hong Kong. He was also not involved in this research.
People with severe depression exercise alone usually not enough.
“Severe depression is typically associated with severe symptoms, including deep sadness, persistent feelings of hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, and an inability to perform daily activities,” Dr. Singh says. “Severe depression often requires a combination of treatments and close supervision by a doctor.”
Schuch and a team of researchers 2015 survey For people hospitalized with severe depression, exercise is a viable option in addition to medication. “However, hospitals have more resources and support for patients, which may increase acceptance and adherence to exercise,” he added. “In the community, it may be more difficult for people with severe depression to adhere to exercise.”
One of the common limitations of studies comparing exercise and pharmacotherapy for depression is whether the prescribed doses of exercise and antidepressants are bioequivalent, and whether participants are aware of the dose of the drug or the amount of exercise. The problem is that there is uncertainty about whether the standards are being met, fallen short, or exceeded, Shuk said. .
Some experts wonder which exercise is best for patients who would benefit most from such physical activity, Schuc said. Nevertheless, Some evidence shows that There’s no difference between aerobic and anaerobic exercise, so some people may benefit from running, while others may prefer weightlifting, as a recent study found.
Additionally, the recent study “was not a randomized trial,” Choi said. “Although participants had a choice of treatment, most participants tended to choose an exercise program. This may be due to whether the effect is due to the treatment itself, such as medication or exercise, or whether the effect is due to the This means we don’t know for sure whether this is due to other factors, such as health concerns or motivation.
The study found that during a 16-week trial, those who chose antidepressants had more depression than those who chose running.
While both exercise and drug therapy are viable options, it’s important to note that “not all patients will benefit,” Schuk said. “His response rate to antidepressants and exercise is close to 50%.”
Experts say the scientific consensus highlights the importance of individualized treatment plans.
“The key is to have an open discussion with a health care provider who can evaluate your specific situation and help you make informed decisions tailored to your needs,” Singh said in an email.
If you’re thinking about using fitness to reduce depression, be aware that the amount of time it takes for people to experience depression relief from exercise can vary widely. he says. “Some people start noticing improvements within a few weeks if they continue to exercise regularly. However, it may take several months of dedicated effort.”
For this reason, consistency is key, she adds, and “sticking to a routine over time is likely to have a positive effect.”
