Running More Effective Than Medications for Depression ,In a research that was written up in the Journal of Affective Disorders, 141 people with depression, anxiety, or both conditions were enrolled. Among them, 45 participants selected a 16-week course of escitalopram or sertraline therapy, while 96 people opted for twice-weekly 45-minute group exercise sessions under supervision.
The medication group had somewhat more depressed members than the running group.
Both groups experienced comparable dropout rates after 16 weeks: 44.8% for those taking antidepressants and 43.3% for those participating in running.
The running group showed changes in weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, and cardiac function, demonstrating the beneficial effects of exercise on physical health. The metabolic indicators in the antidepressant group, meanwhile, modestly deteriorated.
The running group showed changes in weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, and cardiac function, demonstrating the beneficial effects of exercise on physical health. The metabolic indicators in the antidepressant group, meanwhile, modestly deteriorated.
Despite the antidepressant group’s initial preference for running, adherence to the exercise programme was much lower in the antidepressant group (82% vs. 52%), emphasising the difficulties in sticking to exercise schedules.
It is insufficient to merely advise patients to leave. As we did with exercise medicine in mental health facilities, proper monitoring and encouragement to improve exercise behaviour would be required, according to research author Prof. Brenda Penninx of VU University Medical Centre Amsterdam.
Additionally, let’s think about any therapy disadvantages, she continued. Particularly in patients with underlying cardiac issues, doctors should be aware of a possible motor activity syndrome that can be brought on by various antidepressants. This also offers justification for stopping medications when anxious or depressed episodes have passed. When we enhance patients’ mental health without excessively jeopardising their physical health, patients ultimately stand to gain.
However, care should be used when interpreting the study’s findings. There may be greater bias between the groups than in a randomised controlled study since participants followed their preferences.
For instance, the patients in the antidepressant group could have been more sad, which could be related to a decreased chance of exercising, according to Eric Ruhe of Amsterdam University Medical Centres.
He said, “Exercise is shown to have much lower adherence in the group, demonstrating that changing lifestyle habits is more challenging than taking a pill.”
Similar outcomes apply to both physical and mental health.
Nearly 44% of participants in each group reported fewer depressive and anxious symptoms at the study’s conclusion, however the scientists highlighted that the symptoms were still “significant.”
The changes in the exercisers’ physical health, however, were more positive, with gains in heart rate, blood pressure, waist circumference, and lung function. The antidepressant group, on the other hand, exhibited physical deterioration symptoms like weight gain, an increase in blood pressure and lipids, and a drop in cardiac adaptability (a sign of less flexibility), according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Running More Effective Than Medications for Depression
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Researchers looked at 141 people who had depression, anxiety, or both for the study. The participants had the option of choosing medicine alone (without any other form of treatment) or continuing therapy (without medication).
45 patients got medication with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), or SSRIs, for a 16-week period, while 96 others participated in an exercise regimen.
Escitalopram (Lexapro and Cipralex) was given to the medicine group in an initial dose of 10 milligrammes (mg) per day. A psychiatrist managed the medication and could change the dosage as necessary. Sertraline (Zoloft), an alternative SSRI, was prescribed to patients if escitalopram proved unsuccessful or poorly tolerated.
The study team emphasised that exercise frequently immediately targets the sedentary lifestyle frequently observed in patients with depression and anxiety problems by enticing people to go outside, establish personal objectives, advance their fitness, and take part in group activities.
But maintaining an exercise routine might be difficult. While just 52% of the exercise group followed the guidelines, 82% of the medicine group was able to keep up with their prescription schedule.
Changing someone’s behaviour is frequently more difficult than taking medication, according to Dr. Eric Ruhe, a psychiatrist at Amsterdam University Medical Centre who specialises in the treatment of mood disorders.
Dr. Ruhe, who was not involved in the study, suggests that antidepressant medicine should be used along with physical activity, and he hopes that future studies would examine the effects of taking antidepressants and running.
Encouraging Changes in Lifestyle :
The study’s authors agree that it might be challenging to keep people motivated to exercise. According to Ruhe, adopting a regular running routine and altering lifestyle habits might be particularly difficult for those who are depressed because their mental health frequently substantially impairs their motivational drive.
Running therapy needs to be more than just encouraging someone to “run”; according to Peninks, it’s important to regularly evaluate patients and provide them the right training.
She goes on to say that not everyone can run, and that people who suffer from depression can get the same benefits from other favourite hobbies like cycling, swimming, or team sports like football or tennis. Participating in physical activity with others can also provide encouragement and drive.
A Significant Number :
29%. This is the projected proportion of adults in America who have dealt with depression at some point in their lives, according to a Gallup poll released at the start of this year. The previous high of 28.6% in 2021 has been surpassed by this percentage, making it the highest Gallup has so far seen.
Key Takeaways :
• Similar Mental Benefits, Diverse Physical Effects:
SSRIs and running both significantly decreased depression and anxiety, but running, unlike SSRIs, also improved physical health, which had a minor impact on several metabolic indicators.
• Disparity in Compliance:
Despite being initially prioritised, running had a much lower compliance rate (52%) compared to the antidepressant group (82%), demonstrating the behavioural difficulties associated with sticking to an exercise regimen.
• Patient Priority in Treatment Selection:
By giving participants a genuine option between exercise and medicine, the study illustrated a patient-centric approach to mental health treatment and revealed the participants’ initial preference for exercise.