New study reveals an increase in exercise does nothing to combat depression

The results of an NHS-funded study, published last week in the British Medical Journal, indicate that merely increasing the amount of physical exercise has no effect on depression. The study was undertaken by researchers from Bristol and Exeter Universities and the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry and involved over 360 adults diagnosed with depression. It was purportedly the first large-scale investigation into the effect of exercise on depression.

Over a twelve-month period, two groups were given ‘usual care’ of medication and counseling, with one of the groups adding exercise to that care. At the end, there was no difference in the levels of depression from one group to the other. Though the exercising group improved in overall fitness, there was no indication that they were less depressed.

Melanie Chalder of Bristol University said that though there are many studies suggesting that physical exercise helps to combat depression, “. . . our intervention was not an effective strategy for reducing symptoms.” Up to now, most studies have involved small groups and interventions that would not be feasible within NHS parameters.

According to John Campbell of Exeter University’s Peninsula College, many patients don’t want to take anti-depressant medication, preferring alternative therapies not based on drugs. He said that he and the rest of the team hoped to confirm the benefits of exercise in cases of depression, but in this study they found no such confirmation.

However, says Campbell, the approach they used did result in increased and sustained levels of physical activity in the subjects, which could mean that the same approach has potential for success in other areas besides depression. The final conclusion, basically, was that treating the widespread incidence of depression in the UK is a major challenge, and requires much more research.

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