title: Training fast or slow? Exercise for depression: A randomized controlled trial.
abstract: Exercise can be used to treat depression but there is a lack of evidence regarding the optimal intensity and mode. Our aim was to compare the effects of different exercise intensities on post-treatment depression severity. People aged 18-67years with mild to moderate depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score of ≥10) participated in a single-blind, parallel randomized control trial lasting 12-weeks (Sweden 2011-2013). Four treatment arms were included: treatment as usual (TAU) (n=310), light exercise (yoga or similar n=106), moderate exercise (aerobic conditioning, n=105) and vigorous exercise (aerobic conditioning, n=99). Depression severity was measured at baseline and post-treatment using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Differences between the groups in depression severity at post-treatment were analysed using linear regression. Differences in exercise intensity were confirmed by heart rate monitoring. At post-treatment, the light (-4.05 Confidence Interval (CI)=-5.94, -2.17), moderate (-2.08 CI=-3.98, -0.18) and vigorous exercise groups (-3.13 CI=-5.07, -1.19) had reduced their MADRS scores significantly more than TAU. No significant differences were found between the exercise groups, and no significant interaction effect was observed between group and gender. In conclusion, exercise, whether performed at a low (yoga or similar), moderate or vigorous intensity (aerobic training) is effective in treating mild to moderate depression and is at least as effective as treatment as usual by a physician.
authors: Department of Public Health, Section for Epidemiology and Public Health Intervention Research (EPHIR), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: bjorg.helgadottir@ki.se.
authors: Björg
authors: B
authors: Helgadóttir
authors: Department of Public Health, Section for Epidemiology and Public Health Intervention Research (EPHIR), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: Mats
authors: M
authors: Hallgren
authors: Åstrand Laboratory of Work Physiology, Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: Örjan
authors: Ö
authors: Ekblom
authors: Department of Public Health, Section for Epidemiology and Public Health Intervention Research (EPHIR), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: Yvonne
authors: Y
authors: Forsell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013548:Sweden; D015013:Yoga / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Depression; Dose-response; Exercise; Intervention studies