Comparison Among Aerobic Exercise and Other Types of Interventions to Treat Depression: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Depression is a common and disabling disease that affects over 100 million people worldwide and can have a significant impact on physical and mental health, reducing their quality of life. Thus, the aim of this article was to provide information on research results and key chains related to the therapeutic effects of chronic aerobic exercise compared with other types of interventions to treat depression, which may become a useful clinical application in a near future. Researches have shown the effectiveness of alternative treatments, such as physical exercise, minimizing high financial costs and minimizing side effects. In this review, the data analyzed allows us to claim that alternative therapies, such as exercise, are effective on controlling and reducing symptoms. 69.3% of the studies that investigated the antidepressant effects of exercise on depressive were significant, and the other 30.7% of the studies improved only in general physiological aspects, such as increased oxygen uptake, increased use of blood glucose and decreased body fat percentage, with no improvement on symptoms of depression. From the sample analyzed, 71.4% was composed of women, and regarding the severity of symptoms, 85% had mild to moderate depression and only 15% had moderate to severe depression. However, there is still disagreement regarding the effect of exercise compared to the use of antidepressants in symptomatology and cognitive function in depression, this suggests that there is no consensus on the correct intensity of aerobic exercise as to achieve the best dose-response, with intensities high to moderate or moderate to mild.

EPA guidance on physical activity as a treatment for severe mental illness: a meta-review of the evidence and Position Statement from the European Psychiatric Association (EPA), supported by the International Organization of Physical Therapists in Mental Health (IOPTMH)

“…1). Overall, 20 systematic reviews and meta-analyses were included in this guidelines document, which included studies that provided effect sizes for the benefit of exercise for SMI [51] (N = 1), schizophreniaspectrum disorders [67][68][69][70][71][72][73] (N = 7), BD [74,75](N = 2) and MDD [76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83][84][85] (N = 10).…”

“…In total 10 systematic reviews and meta-analyses reported the benefits of exercise for MDD [76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83][84][85]. The mean AMSTAR score for the included reviews was 9.1 (range 3-10).…”

Systematic Review of Meta-Analyses: Exercise Effects on Depression in Children and Adolescents

“…A systematic review carried out with adult samples measured the effects of different interventions on depression. They found no consensus on the correct intensity of aerobic exercise as to achieve the best doseresponse relationship (75).…”

Exercise is Medicine: Is there a Dose-response for Major Depression?

“…AE is considered a relevant therapeutic option, available as a form of effective treatment in mild to moderate depression [7,8], and its regular practice can bring physiological, psychological and social benefits to practitioners [9,10]. Studies show that AE is an important factor in the treatment of depression [11], providing positive physiological and psychological changes involved in mood enhancement.…”

“…Studies show that AE is an important factor in the treatment of depression [11], providing positive physiological and psychological changes involved in mood enhancement. AE contributes to autonomic balance and its effects can extend to improve mental health with reduction of symptoms [8,12], of weight gain induced by antipsychotics [13], and of cardiovascular risk [14], and increase in cardiorespiratory fitness (APCR) [15]. However different methods and intensities may provide different psychological responses to exercise, interfering with adherence [16].…”