Running vs Meds for Depression: Is There a Clear Winner?

[Northerner]

Running therapy rivals antidepressant medication for the treatment of depression and anxiety, results of a new study show. However, running provides greater physical health benefits while adherence is greater with drug treatment.

"Both interventions helped with the depression to around the same extent," study presenter Brenda W.J.H. Penninx, PhD, professor of psychiatric epidemiology at the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, said in a release.

However, medication "generally had worse impact on body weight, heart rate variability, and blood pressure, whereas running therapy led to improved effect on general fitness and heart rate," Penninx added.

The findings were presented here at the 36th European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) Congress, and recently published in the Journal of Affective Disorders.

Running vs Meds for Depression: Is There a Clear Winner?

A running therapy program rivals antidepressants in treatment of depression and anxiety, research suggests. Running showed greater physical health benefits while adherence is better with medication.

www.medscape.com

NSS 🙂

 

[Bruce Stephens]

There are skeptical views:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1711976155853771260

 

[Eddy Edson]

There are skeptical views:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1711976155853771260

And when I say there were "likely" confounding factors, I mean that people who elected to take medication were more likely to be depressed and had on average much higher depression scores than people who chose running therapy

He's such a nerdy killjoy.

 

[grovesy]

What a load of b****cks, one I am not and never been a runner, and two when I have had depression it has taken all of my effort to get up, never mind do anything else.

 

[jimbob99]

What a load of b****cks, one I am not and never been a runner, and two when I have had depression it has taken all of my effort to get up, never mind do anything else.

Totally agree @grovesy.
There is being a bit down, where a run may well help.
Then there is serious depression which I have had in the past.
Cannot eat/sleep or function at all. Cannot get out of bed, never mind run!

 

[Drummer]

Going out as soon as the spring weather of 2017 allowed and bouncing on the big trampoline in the garden for 10 minutes of a 20 minute stint, including stretching and a few yoga poses was definitely a good thing when I had become suicidal before Christmas 2016. I still ached and felt so very dismal. I often sat down and cried, but I worked up to 1000 bounces and got back some mobility and strength, plus my balance improved.
I think that bouncing or any exercise with a strong vertical movement is likely to engender a smile.

 

[mikeyB]

Well, I can barely walk with two crutches, so running is out forever. I suppose I am lucky not to be depressed - and I know what depression feels like. I suppose it's because i enjoy being in my electric wheelchair or on my road going mobility scooter.

Actually being in wheelchair it's amazing how many people walk while staring at their phone. (A cause many accidents, apparently)