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Exercise may help to overcome depression


07/29/2005

In the news release of January 25, 2005, the UT Southwestern Medical Center, states that a study by researchers at this University, has concluded that “aerobic exercise alone can have a significant impact on mild to moderate depression”. The whole study has been recently published by the American Journal of Preventive medicine.

"The effect you find using aerobic exercise alone in treating clinical depression is similar to what you find with antidepressant medications.

The key is the intensity of the exercise and continuing it for 30 to 35 minutes per day. It's not for the faint of heart," study co-author Dr. Madhukar Trivedi, director of UT Southwestern's mood disorders research program, said in a prepared statement.

From Salud Latina

Participating in 30-minute aerobic exercise sessions three to five times a week reduced depressive symptoms by nearly 50 percent in adults aged 20 to 45. The results are comparable to findings from studies in which people with mild to moderate depression were treated with antidepressants or cognitive therapy.

"Numerous effective treatments for depression are available, yet many people don't seek treatments for depression because of the negative social stigma still associated with the disease. Exercise may offer a viable treatment alternative, particularly as it can be recommended for most individuals," Trivedi said.