While running and antidepressants had similar effects on mental health, the results on physical health differed. The researchers admit, however, that their research has limitations.
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New study highlights importance of activity physicalphysical in the treatment of mental health (depression and anxiety) but also in the improvement of physical health. For the first time, researchers offered patients suffering from anxiety or depression the choice of their preferred therapy between taking antidepressants (SSRIsSSRIs) or running. The results, previously published in the Journal of Affective Disorderswere presented during the 36e conference of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology held in Barcelona.
Of the 141 participants (mean age 38.2 years; 58.2% women), 45 received antidepressants and 96 underwent running therapy for 16 weeks. The latter group ran two to three times a week, for 45 minutes each time. Both treatments led to an improvement in depression and anxiety for 44% of participants.
Results to be taken with a pinch of salt
However, assessment of physical criteria — including heart rate, weight, waist circumference, lung function and physical fitness — revealed differences between the two groups. Compared to running, antidepressants lead to slightly worse physical condition.
The authors acknowledge that comparisons between groups may be biased because their composition is not balanced and, for example, patients in the antidepressant group were more depresseddepressed than the others.
“ It is important to say that there is room for both therapies in the treatment of depressionsaid Professor Brenda Penninx. The study shows that many people like the idea of exercising, but it can be difficult to do, even if the benefits are considerable. »
