PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY AND DEPRESSION - CLINICAL-EXPERIENCE

Two quasiexperimental and 10 experimental exercise intervention studie s have been performed in depressed subjects. Some of the studies have methodological shortcomings, but in all studies the results point in t he same direction: aerobic exercise is more effective than no treatmen t, but not significantly different from other forms of therapy, includ ing various forms of psychotherapy. Aerobic and anaerobic forms of exe rcise are equally effective. The results are restricted to patients wi th mild to moderate forms of unipolar depression. Patients appreciate exercise and consider it a useful form of therapy. Physical exercise m ay be an alternative or adjunct to traditional forms of treatment in m ild to moderate forms of unipolar depression.