Physical exercise intervention in depressive disorders: Meta‐analysis and systematic review

Josefsson, T.; Lindwall, M.; Archer, T.

doi:10.1111/sms.12050

Cited by 483Physical Activity and HealthTreatment of Major DepressionAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

Physical exercise intervention in depressive disorders: Meta‐analysis and systematic review

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Josefsson, T., Lindwall, M., Archer, T.·2014·Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports

DOI 10.1111/sms.12050

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Abstract

Previous meta‐analyses investigating the effect of exercise on depression have included trials where the control condition has been categorized as placebo despite the fact that this particular placebo intervention (e.g., meditation, relaxation) has been recognized as having an antidepressant effect. Because meditation and mindfulness‐based interventions are associated with depression reduction, it is impossible to separate the effect of the physical exercise from the meditation‐related parts. The present study determined the efficacy of exercise in reducing symptoms of depression compared with no treatment, placebo conditions or usual care among clinically defined depressed adults. Of 89 retrieved studies, 15 passed the inclusion criteria of which 13 studies presented sufficient information for calculating effect sizes. The main result showed a significant large overall effect favoring exercise intervention. The effect size was even larger when only trials that had used no treatment or placebo conditions were analyzed. Nevertheless, effect size was reduced to a moderate level when only studies with high methodological quality were included in the analysis. Exercise may be recommended for people with mild and moderate depression who are willing, motivated, and physically healthy enough to engage in such a program.

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Physical exercise has been shown to reduce depression, seems to reduce pain, and is recommended as an adjunctive treatment for anxiety disorders.
“Physical exercise has been shown to reduce depression [14], seems to reduce pain [15] and is recommended as an adjunctive treatment for anxiety disorders [16].”
From Effects of Inpatient Multicomponent Occupational Rehabilitation versus Less Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation on Somatic and Mental Health: Secondary Outcomes of a Randomized Clinical Trial. (2017) · cites this paper as [14]
For people with depressive symptoms, physical exercise is as effective as antidepressant drugs and psychotherapy.
“Current research generally indicates that for people with depressive symptoms, physical exercise is as effective as antidepressant drugs and psychotherapy”
From Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of exercise on depression in adolescents (2022) · cites this paper as [71]
For patients with depression, exercise can be used as a supplement to traditional therapy.
“for patients with depression, exercise can be used as a supplement to traditional therapy [70–72].”
From Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of exercise on depression in adolescents (2022) · cites this paper as [71]

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Authors: Josefsson, T., Lindwall, M., & Archer, T.
Affiliations: Halmstad University (SE)
University of Gothenburg (SE)
Linnaeus University (SE)
Corresponding author: Josefsson, T.
ORCID: Lindwall, M.
Venue: Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2013-01-30
Volume: 24
Issue: 2
Pages: 259-272
ISSN: 0905-7188 (ISSN-L)
1600-0838
DOI: 10.1111/sms.12050
OpenAlex: W1527910096
Cited by: 483
References: 96
Citations by year: 2026: 22 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 36 · 2023: 33 · 2022: 40 · 2021: 40 · 2020: 40 · 2019: 46 · 2018: 47 · 2017: 51 · 2016: 37 · 2015: 47 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 1
FWCI: 3.75
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: bronze
doi.org
Licence: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations: Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords: physical activity, depression, depressive disorders, exercise intervention, placebo effect, meditation, mindfulness-based interventions, antidepressant effects, methodological quality, mild to moderate depression, adults
MeSH terms: Depressive Disorder, Humans, Statistics as Topic, Exercise, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

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