Monoamines and cortisol as potential mediators of the relationship between exercise and depressive symptoms
Abstract
A randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the effects of exercise plus pharmacotherapy on monoamine neurotransmitters (dopamine, noradrenaline, adrenaline, serotonin) and cortisol levels. A total of 26 women with clinical depression were randomly assigned to one of the two groups: aerobic exercise plus pharmacotherapy or only pharmacotherapy. The exercise program consisted of aerobic exercise, 45-50 min/session, three times/week, for 16 weeks. The biological parameters were measured before and after the exercise program. Adding exercise to pharmacotherapy had no additional effects on monoamines and cortisol plasma levels. These data are preliminary outcomes from a small sample and should be replicated.
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Two studies evaluated cortisol in basal condition, one observed cortisol awakening response, one assessed cortisol levels after 8 hours of overnight fasting, and one measured 24 hours of excretions.
“Two of them evaluated cortisol in basal condition, 29,30 one article observed cortisol awakening response, 25 another study assessed cortisol levels after 8 hours of overnight fasting 39 and the last one measured 24 hours of excretions.26”
From Can physical exercise modulate cortisol level in subjects with depression? A systematic review and meta-analysis (2018) · cites this paper as [30]
Different types of exercise were used, including aerobic exercise, jogging training, strength training, relaxation exercise, Buddhism walking meditation, traditional walking, and stretching.
“Different types of exercise were used, including aerobic exercise, 25,29,30 Records jogging training, 26 strength training, 29 relaxation exercise, 29 Buddhism walking meditation, 37 traditional walking 39 and stretching.25”
From Can physical exercise modulate cortisol level in subjects with depression? A systematic review and meta-analysis (2018) · cites this paper as [30]
One study did not present the association between reduced cortisol and improved depressive symptoms, and another found non-significant results.
“However, one study did not present the association between reduced cortisol and improved depressive symptoms, 30 and another found non-significant results.29”
From Can physical exercise modulate cortisol level in subjects with depression? A systematic review and meta-analysis (2018) · cites this paper as [30]
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- Authors
- Carneiro, L. S. F., Mota, M. P., Vieira-Coelho, M. A., Alves, R. C., Fonseca, A. M., & Vasconcelos-Raposo, J.
- Affiliations
- University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (PT)
- Universidade do Porto (PT)
- Venue
- European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
- Published
- 2016-08-02
- Volume
- 267
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 117-121
- ISSN
- 0003-9373 (ISSN-L)
- 0940-1334
- 1433-8491
- OpenAlex
- W2493199468
- Cited by
- 33
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 2
- FWCI
- 1.89
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) (SFRH/ BD/84988/2012)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Keywords
- physical activity, depression, monoamines, cortisol, aerobic exercise, pharmacotherapy, dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, serotonin, women, plasma biomarkers
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Combined Modality Therapy, Depression, Dopamine, Epinephrine, Exercise Therapy, Female, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Norepinephrine, Serotonin, Treatment Outcome
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