Exercise can Help Depression

Suggested lead: Researchers now have proof that a little exercise can go a long way toward relieving symptoms of depression. Tom Britt has more.

Friday, June 9, 2000

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Durham, N.C. -- Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have found that exercise can be a viable alternative to medication in treating major depression. One hundred fifty-six patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder were assigned to three groups. One group received only medi-cation, another only exercise, and a third a combination of exercise and medication. After 16 weeks, all three groups showed significant and similar improvement. Psychologist James Blumenthal says many of the patients say they felt they were finally taking an active part in their treatment.

Blumenthal says researchers are now recruiting patients for a new study that starts in July, one that will try to determine whether it was the exercise itself or the supportive environment of the gym that caused the improvement in symptoms of depression.