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Physical Activity as a Nonpharmacological Treatment for Depression: A ReviewDepartment of Exercise and Wellness, Arizona State University East, Mesa, Arizona, wphillips{at}asu.edu
Stanford Center for Research in Disease Prevention, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California
Stanford Center for Research in Disease Prevention, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California Physical activity is increasingly being cited as an alternative to more traditional drug treatments for treating depression. Although an increasing amount of research has investigated this theory, much of the literature has been criticized from a methodological perspective. Given rising concern for the increasing costs of mental health care, it is timely and important to examine valid, reliable, and objective research findings on the potential role of physical activity as a low-cost non-pharmacological intervention for the treatment of depression. This article reviews cross-sectional, longitudinal, and randomized studies that investigated the role of physical activity in the prevention and alleviation of depression. The review found that although there is undoubtedly a need for more research with a greater emphasis on methodological strength, the scientific literature is generally supportive of the beneficial effects of aerobic and nonaerobic exercise on depression in clinically and nonclinically depressed adults. Implications for public health are discussed.
Key Words: exercise • depression • intervention studies • non-pharmacological treatment of depression
Complementary Health Practice Review, Vol. 8, No. 2,
139-152 (2003) This article has been cited by other articles:
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