Is Strength Training as Effective as Aerobic Training for Depression in Older Adults? A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> This study aimed to compare the effects of aerobic training (AT), strength training (ST) and low-intensity exercise in a control group (CG) as adjunct treatments to pharmacotherapy for major depressive disorder (MDD) in older persons. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Older persons clinically diagnosed with MDD (<i>n</i> = 27) and treated with antidepressants were blindly randomized into three groups: AT, ST and a CG. All patients were evaluated prior to and 12 weeks after the intervention. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Compared with the CG, the AT and ST groups showed significant reductions in depressive symptoms (treatment ­response = 50% decrease in the pre- to postintervention assessment) through the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (AT group: χ<sup>2</sup>, <i>p</i> = 0.044) and Beck Depression Inventory (ST group: χ<sup>2</sup>, <i>p</i> = 0.044). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Adding AT or ST with moderate intensity to the usual treatment promoted a greater reduction of MDD symptoms.

The Effects of Exclusively Resistance Training-Based Supervised Programs in People with Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…Concerning secondary outcomes, only one study failed to assess physical outcomes [38]. This is unfortunate because the other three studies showed that even when depressive symptoms do not ameliorate, there are still benefits in terms of strength and cardiovascular response, which is positive in itself.…”

“…Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane's RoB 2 (see Table 5). Risk of bias arising from the randomization process was low for the articles by Krogh, Saltin, Gluud and Nordentoft [37] and Singh, Stavrinos, Scarbek, Galambos, Liber and Singh [40], but there were concerns with the other two papers [38,39]. Risk of bias due to deviations from intended interventions (effect of assignment to intervention) was low for all articles.…”

“…The article by Singh, Stavrinos, Scarbek, Galambos, Liber and Singh [40] presented some concerns in one dimension, but low risk for the others. Finally, the articles by Moraes, Silveira, Oliveira, Matta Mello Portugal, Araújo, Vasques, Bergland, Santos, Engedal, Coutinho, Schuch, Laks and Deslandes [38] and Sims, Galea, Taylor, Dodd, Jespersen, Joubert and Joubert [39] raised some concerns in two dimensions, but had a low risk of bias in the others.…”

The Effect of Muscular Strength on Depression Symptoms in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…From the other clinical trial studies, the muscular strength decreased the depression symptomatology [35][36][37]. Results demonstrated significant differences in all indicators of depression after completing 12 weeks of training [35], that low muscle strength increased depression symptomatology in patients with fibromyalgia [37], and that strength training intervention significantly decreased depressive symptoms [36]. The other observational studies showed that independently of sex, age, and country, depression symptoms were significantly associated with a reduced handgrip strength [11,21,22,24,[27][28][29][30][38][39][40].…”

“…However, in one study, the neurotransmitter factors, such as serotonin, dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine significantly decreased in the strength exercise group but not for the control group [33]. From the other clinical trial studies, the muscular strength decreased the depression symptomatology [35][36][37]. Results demonstrated significant differences in all indicators of depression after completing 12 weeks of training [35], that low muscle strength increased depression symptomatology in patients with fibromyalgia [37], and that strength training intervention significantly decreased depressive symptoms [36].…”