Exercise Shows Comparable Depression Relief to Therapy in Major Study

Exercise may alleviate depression as effectively as psychological therapy, with similar benefits to antidepressants—though critical evidence gaps remain. A Cochrane review analyzed 73 randomized controlled trials involving nearly 5,000 adults with depression, finding that exercise produced moderate symptom reduction compared to no treatment.

The evidence suggests exercise is as effective as psychological therapy with moderate certainty but shows only low certainty for comparisons with antidepressants.

Light to moderate intensity activity over 13–36 sessions yielded the best results, with no single exercise type outperforming others.

Combined programs incorporating resistance and aerobic exercises demonstrated greater efficacy. Adverse effects were rare: muscle or joint injuries for exercise and fatigue or gastrointestinal issues for medication.

Prof. Andrew Clegg noted, 'Exercise appears to be a safe and accessible option for helping to manage symptoms of depression,' but emphasized that long-term benefits remain uncertain due to limited follow-up in studies.

While 35 new trials since 2013 have reinforced the main conclusions, the review highlights methodological limitations, including small study sizes and low certainty for antidepressant comparisons.

Clegg stressed the need for larger, higher-quality studies to determine optimal approaches.

The findings do not claim equivalence to established treatments but suggest exercise as a viable complementary option.