Thousands of young adults are diagnosed with clinical and manic depression each year.  Students are prime targets for the onset of depression because they are often stressed out with schoolwork, social issues, and being away from home.  New college students are especially at risk since they are confronting many of these stress factors at once.  Although taking a prescription antidepressant such as Prozac© or Zoloft© is an obvious answer, students may be surprised to find out that exercise can fight depression as well!  Scientists at Duke University discovered that “an exercise training program may be considered an alternative to antidepressants for treatment of depression”(Blumenthal et al., 1999). 

For the study, 156 patients suffering from mild to severe depression were selected and randomized into 3 groups: 48 were only administered medication, 53 only exercise, and 55 a combination of both.  After they were evaluated by psychiatrists and physicians, those in the medication group received setraline (Zoloft©) for their depression, and those in the exercise group attended 3 aerobic exercise sessions every week for 16 weeks.  The third group received both treatments.  Scientists measured participants’ degree of illness using the “HAM-D” clinical rating scale and the “BDI,” a 21-item self-report questionnaire allowing patients to rate their self-dislike, suicidal intentions, insomnia, and sadness.  At the end of the 16 weeks, data collected from the study was analyzed statistically using analyses of covariance (ANCOVA).

Results of the study revealed that exercise was just as effective in treating depression as the antidepressant Zoloft© and more effective when used in combination for mild depression.  All 3 groups showed a similar decline in depressive symptoms and there was no statistically significant difference between groups in the percentages of people who “recovered.”  Mildly depressed patients in the combination group had a more rapid initial response than mildly depressed patients in the other two groups.  The numbers are consistent with over a dozen studies previously done of psychosocial interventions for depression.  Additionally, the study found that all patients enrolled in the exercise program had improved aerobic capacity. 

This study is the first to test the effects of exercise via “controlled” experiments.  While previous reports on the subject published in the 1980s involved a number of methodological problems, such as limited sample sizes, lack of randomized designs, uncontrolled concurrent therapies, undocumented exercise training effects, and imprecise diagnoses of depression, this study takes all the issues into account.  Its solid statistical methods make it more reliable, which is why the results of the research are considered a breakthrough.

Who knew that finding time to exercise several times a week not only benefited the body, but could also be a means of treating depression?  Scientists hypothesize that several biological mechanisms resulting from improved aerobic fitness may improve one’s mood.  There are also psychological benefits, such as increased feelings of self-worth and a better self-image.  New college students may find it difficult juggling classes, homework, and social activities, but they should always find time for the gym.  Especially to the many who are diagnosed with depression, exercise may be worth more than previously thought.

 

Works Cited

Blumenthal, James A. et al.  1999.  “Effects of Exercise Training on Older Patients With Major Depression.”  Archives of Internal Medicine.  159: 2349-2356.