Effects of exercise and physical activity on depression

Abstract

The presented evidence suggests that exercise and physical activity have beneficial effects on depression symptoms that are comparable to those of antidepressant treatments.

Depression and Osteoarthritis: Impact on Disability

“…As outlined in Figure 1, attempts to both minimize osteoarthritis disability directly, as well as to prevent or treat concomitant depression are likely to have far reaching beneficial effects. Moreover, dealing with the presence of pain, as well as depression, rather than failing to identify and treat this latter problem, can potentially offset excess functional disability, minimize the extent of perceived pain, reduce fears and heighten confidence to cope with pain, and heighten activity participation, rather than the avoidance thereof, thus reducing excess health care costs [44,83,[93][94][95][96]. To this end, efforts to impact depression directly, including some form of cognitive behavioral therapy, emotional and social support, plus a combination of adequate nutrition, exercise, stress control strategies, weight management, and sleep, plus efforts to minimize inflammation and negative beliefs would all appear helpful [23,44].…”

“…Finally, reducing the stigma of depression may be helpful as well [57]. In particular, exercise alone may have a beneficial effect on depression symptoms that is comparable to that of antidepressant treatments [96]. It is also argued that because stress and depression are both associated with the development of later life medical comorbidities as well as the onset and worsening of osteoarthritis, pain, disability, and poor health, careful evaluation to tease out the presence of physical symptoms, versus emotional distress, followed by interventions such as relaxation, may be helpful in reducing osteoarthritis related disability, especially in over-anxious and/or chronically ill patients [44,[97][98][99][100].…”

“…In the interim, applying a comprehensive collaborative care multimodal approach, aimed at alleviating or controlling pain, improving joint function, and minimizing disability that is tailored to the individual and takes into account the complexity of the disease and its symptoms, plus minimizing the onset or extent of any persistent depression, especially as this influences inflammation may permit the osteoarthritis patient to have a higher rather than a lower life quality, and predicts a higher likelihood of a favorable response to intervention and minimization of days of restrictive activity [23,96,102,103]. Moreover, an approach directed at symptom management, which does not have the side effects of pharmaceutical therapies, may be especially valuable for heightening optimal health outcomes, regardless of whether clinical or surgical intervention approaches are employed as outlined by Axford et al [104] and Lin et al [105], and Ang et al [106].…”

“…Moreover, an approach directed at symptom management, which does not have the side effects of pharmaceutical therapies, may be especially valuable for heightening optimal health outcomes, regardless of whether clinical or surgical intervention approaches are employed as outlined by Axford et al [104] and Lin et al [105], and Ang et al [106]. Early intervention may also reduce symptoms of hypertension and heart disease and asthma caused by psychological distress, excess body weight and pain and disability, which in turn can cause depression, high rates of health care utilization and excess analgesic drug use [24,30,80,96]. Finally, since depression is a consistent predictor of pain among adults with chronic pain, perceived health and functional ability, activity limitations, disability, and operative outcomes in cases with knee osteoarthritis, there is compelling support for concerted efforts by clinicians to routinely screen adults with joint pain and functional limitations, as well as those definitive osteoarthritis for depression, and to make appropriate referrals [99,107].…”

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“…SD is multifactorial in its etiology and contains a complex physiopathology. It's relation with anxiety and the exposure of physical and emotional factors makes the need to do activities that provide physical and mental wellbeing plausible [5].…”