Major Depressive Disorder: Which exercise modalities improve symptoms?

Multiple exercise modalities studied, including walking, jogging, aerobic exercise, strength training, yoga, qigong, and tai chi, were moderately effective in reducing depression symptoms compared with active controls. These modalities were also well tolerated, particularly yoga and strength training. Beneficial effects were proportional to prescribed exercise intensity, favoring more vigorous activities. The benefits of exercise were seen equally across depression severity levels and for patients with and without various comorbidities.

• This systematic review and meta-analysis included 218 RCTs with 14,170 participants. Various exercise modalities, either alone or combined with established therapies, were compared with controls (e.g., usual care or placebo pill).
• When not combined with other therapies, the most effective exercise modalities were walking/jogging, yoga, strength training, and dancing.
• Walking and jogging were equally effective for males and females; however, strength training was more effective for females, while yoga and qigong were more effective for men.

Source:

Noetel M, et al. (2024, February 14). BMJ. Effect of exercise for depression: systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38355154/