- Researchers in Amsterdam conducted a study to see if running therapy could be as useful as antidepressants in treating symptoms of depression and anxiety.
- The researchers found that both groups experienced similar improvements in their depression symptoms.
- However, the running group also saw improvements in their physical health, while the antidepressant participants experienced slightly worse physical health.
Many people experience depression, and sometimes it is situational or mild, which may not require treatment. However, other people experience depression to a more severe degree.
In the case of people with clinical depressiontreatments that include psychological therapy and/or specific medications may be appropriate.
According to National Alliance on Mental Illness, 8.3% of adults in the United States experience a major depressive episode each year. Furthermore, the
Because depression is so common, scientists want to improve treatments. Researchers in Amsterdam wondered whether running could be as beneficial as taking an antidepressant.
To do this, researchers recruited more than 100 people to participate in a study comparing the effects of running and antidepressants on improving symptoms of depression and anxiety. Each group followed a 16-week regimen that consisted of either participating in running therapy or taking an antidepressant.
After 16 weeks, the researchers found that both groups had similar improvements in their symptoms.
These results were presented to the ECNP Congress in Barcelona, Spain, and appear in the Journal of Affective Disorders.
Depression and anxiety are two common mental health problems in the United States. In addition to the impact these issues have on a person’s mental well-being, they can affect physical health.
Some physical health problems related to depression include:
- chronic joint pain
- sleep disorder
- gastrointestinal problems
- psychomotor activity changes.
Furthermore, the
The impacts on mental and physical health make treatment of persistent depression of the utmost importance. Many doctors prescribe medications belonging to antidepressant classes such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and tricyclic antidepressants.
Treating depression with medication is not the only option, however. Increasing physical activity may be beneficial by increasing endorphinsa chemical produced by the body that improves mood.
Keeping in mind both the pharmacological treatment of depression and the fact that physical activity stimulates endorphins, the researchers in the current study wonder whether running therapy might be as beneficial as use of an antidepressant.
The researchers recruited 141 participants suffering from depression or anxiety disorder. They gave participants the option of taking either an antidepressant – SSRIs escitalopram Or Sertraline – or join a running group two to three times a week.
Participants had to agree to provide blood samples, undergo a psychiatric evaluation, and complete self-assessments to assess their mental state. The average age of participants was 38.2 years and 58.2% of the group was female.
Most participants chose to run, and if a participant didn’t have a preference, the researchers assigned them to a group. In total, the running therapy group had 96 participants and the antidepressant group had 45 participants.
Participants in the running group were required to attend two or three running sessions lasting 45 minutes each week. The researchers expected them to complete at least 70% of the sessions, and participants wore heart rate monitors during ongoing sessions so that researchers can track their level of participation and other data.
The researchers prescribed escitalopram (Lexapro) to the antidepressant group, but if they found it ineffective or participants did not tolerate it well, they switched to sertraline (Zoloft).
While most participants opted for running therapy, this group’s adherence to the treatment plan was lower overall. Among participants, 82.2% of people in the antidepressant group adhered to the medication protocol, while only 52.1% of people in the running therapy group completed the minimum required exercise sessions.
Regardless of which treatment plan people participated in, both groups saw overall improvements in their mental health.
Comparing participants’ depressive symptoms at the start and end of the study, 43.3% of the running therapy group saw their depression go into remission, and 44.8% of the antidepressant group experienced a remission.
Participants in the antidepressant group saw improvement in their anxiety symptoms more quickly than people in the running group, but the end result at the end of the 16-week study was almost the same.
While the two treatment plans were nearly identical in terms of improvement in depression, the running therapy group saw improvements in physical health that the antidepressant group did not experience.
Participants in the running group experienced weight loss, improvement lung function, reduced blood pressure, and a reduced heart rate. The antidepressant group experienced weight gain and increased blood pressure.
“This study showed the importance of exercise in the depressed and anxious population and caution in the use of antidepressants in patients with poor physical health,” the authors write.
Dr. David Merrillgeriatric psychiatrist and director of the Pacific Brain Health Center at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, California, who was not involved in the current research, spoke with Medical news today about the study.
“This is an important study,” Dr. Merrill began before explaining the impact of antidepressants and running on the brain.
“Antidepressants and running increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the brain. BDNF is an important molecule that enhances neuroplasticity and is important for maintaining normal mood,” he said.
Depressive states can lead to lower BDNF levels, which can be corrected with medication or exercise. Dr Merrill said ideally patients could try a combination to experience “synergistic benefits”.
“Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is like Miracle Grow for the brain; This is one of the reasons why regular exercise is so important for brain health.
— Dr. David Merrill
When Dr. Merrill explained the study results, he said he wished more people had stuck to the exercise protocol.
“It is disappointing to see how many people have dropped out of the exercise intervention. It would be nice to know why, so that future interventions could be modified to increase the chances of successfully starting and maintaining a mood-enhancing exercise program,” he said.
Dr Ryan Sultanboard-certified psychiatrist, therapist and professor at Columbia University in New York, who was also not involved in the study, spoke with MNT about the findings.
“The topic of treating depression has always been at the forefront of psychiatric discussions, and this new study offers interesting insights into the comparative effects of running and antidepressants on the treatment of this condition,” he said. he declares.
Although Dr. Sultan found the study intriguing, he nevertheless emphasized that there is no “one-size-fits-all approach” to treating depression.
“Although running and antidepressants appear to be effective in treating depression, it is essential to understand that each individual’s needs and responses may vary. It is always crucial to consult a healthcare professional before making decisions regarding treatment options.
— Dr. Ryan Sultan
