Cited by 707Physical Activity and HealthTreatment of Major DepressionAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 64 of the 64 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; 1 of the 45 sources its claims cite were checked for support.

Effect of exercise for depression: systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Open access

Abstract

Objective: To identify the optimal dose and modality of exercise for treating major depressive disorder, compared with psychotherapy, antidepressants, and control conditions. Design: Systematic review and network meta-analysis. Methods: Screening, data extraction, coding, and risk of bias assessment were performed independently and in duplicate. Bayesian arm based, multilevel network meta-analyses were performed for the primary analyses. Quality of the evidence for each arm was graded using the confidence in network meta-analysis (CINeMA) online tool. Data sources: Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase, SPORTDiscus, and PsycINFO databases. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies: Any randomised trial with exercise arms for participants meeting clinical cut-offs for major depression. Results: 218 unique studies with a total of 495 arms and 14 170 participants were included. Compared with active controls (eg, usual care, placebo tablet), moderate reductions in depression were found for walking or jogging (n=1210, κ=51, Hedges’ g −0.62, 95% credible interval −0.80 to −0.45), yoga (n=1047, κ=33, g −0.55, −0.73 to −0.36), strength training (n=643, κ=22, g −0.49, −0.69 to −0.29), mixed aerobic exercises (n=1286, κ=51, g −0.43, −0.61 to −0.24), and tai chi or qigong (n=343, κ=12, g −0.42, −0.65 to −0.21). The effects of exercise were proportional to the intensity prescribed. Strength training and yoga appeared to be the most acceptable modalities. Results appeared robust to publication bias, but only one study met the Cochrane criteria for low risk of bias. As a result, confidence in accordance with CINeMA was low for walking or jogging and very low for other treatments. Conclusions: Exercise is an effective treatment for depression, with walking or jogging, yoga, and strength training more effective than other exercises, particularly when intense. Yoga and strength training were well tolerated compared with other treatments. Exercise appeared equally effective for people with and without comorbidities and with different baseline levels of depression. To mitigate expectancy effects, future studies could aim to blind participants and staff. These forms of exercise could be considered alongside psychotherapy and antidepressants as core treatments for depression. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42018118040.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This systematic review and network meta-analysis of 218 randomised trials found that exercise produces moderate reductions in depression compared with active controls, with walking/jogging, yoga, strength training, and dance among the more effective modalities. Effects appeared proportional to prescribed intensity, but confidence in the evidence was low for walking/jogging and very low for other modalities.

Key findings

  • Across 218 unique studies, 495 arms, and 14,170 participants, exercise reduced depression compared with active controls: dance (n=107, κ=5, Hedges’ g −0.96, 95% credible interval −1.36 to −0.56), walking or jogging (n=1210, κ=51, g −0.63, −0.80 to −0.46), yoga (n=1047, κ=33, g −0.55, −0.73 to −0.36), strength training (n=643, κ=22, g −0.49, −0.69 to −0.29), mixed aerobic exercises (n=1286, κ=51, g −0.43, −0.61 to −0.25), and tai chi or qigong (n=343, κ=12, g −0.42, −0.65 to −0.21).
  • Effects were proportional to prescribed intensity: light physical activity had g −0.58 (−0.82 to −0.33), while vigorous exercise had g −0.74 (−1.10 to −0.38).
  • Strength training (odds ratio 0.55, 95% credible interval 0.31 to 0.99) and yoga (0.57, 0.35 to 0.94) had lower odds of dropout than active control.
  • Confidence in the evidence was low for walking or jogging and very low for other treatments; only one study met Cochrane criteria for low risk of bias.

Methods

  • Systematic review and Bayesian arm-based multilevel network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials, registered as PROSPERO CRD42018118040 and reported per PRISMA-NMA.
  • Searches covered Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase, SPORTDiscus, and PsycINFO, with no language restrictions; eligible trials included exercise arms for participants meeting clinical cut-offs for major depression.
  • Main analyses used Hedges’ g standardised mean change from baseline, with active controls grouped and waitlist control separated; credibility was assessed with CINeMA, and moderation analyses examined intensity, dose, age, sex, baseline depression, comorbidities, behaviour change techniques, autonomy, and funding.

Limitations

  • The paper states that only one study met Cochrane criteria for low risk of bias, most studies did not blind participants or staff, and confidence was low for walking or jogging and very low for other treatments.
  • The paper notes that publication bias was present, though not enough to nullify effects; risk-of-bias judgements may be too conservative because RoB 1 was used and many studies predated reporting checklists.
  • The paper states that age and sex moderation was at the study level rather than individual level, dance evidence came from few studies with mostly young women, and searches were not designed to systematically capture grey literature or trial registries.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1136/bmj-2023-075847

Cites

64 of 64 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Figures

Image 1
CC BY-NC · PubMed Central
Fig 1 Flow of studies through review
Fig 1 Flow of studies through reviewCC BY-NC · PubMed Central
Fig 2 Network geometry indicating number of participants in each arm (size of points) and number of comparisons between arms (thickness of lines). SSRI=selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
Fig 2 Network geometry indicating number of participants in each arm (size of points) and number of comparisons between arms (thickness of lines). SSRI=selective serotonin reuptake inhibitorCC BY-NC · PubMed Central
Fig 3 Risk of bias summary plot showing percentage of included studies judged to be low, unclear, or high risk across Cochrane criteria for randomised trials
Fig 3 Risk of bias summary plot showing percentage of included studies judged to be low, unclear, or high risk across Cochrane criteria for randomised trialsCC BY-NC · PubMed Central
Fig 4 Predicted effects of different exercise modalities on major depression compared with active controls (eg, usual care), with 95% credible intervals. The estimate of effects for the active control condition was a before and after change of Hedges’ g of −0.95 (95% credible interval −1.10 to −0.79), n=3554, κ =113. Colour represents SUCRA from most likely to be helpful (dark purple) to least likely to be helpful (light purple). SSRI=selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; SUCRA=surface under the cumulative ranking curve
Fig 4 Predicted effects of different exercise modalities on major depression compared with active controls (eg, usual care), with 95% credible intervals. The estimate of effects for the active control condition was a before and after change of Hedges’ g of −0.95 (95% credible interval −1.10 to −0.79), n=3554, κ =113. Colour represents SUCRA from most likely to be helpful (dark purple) to least likely to be helpful (light purple). SSRI=selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; SUCRA=surface under the cumulative ranking curveCC BY-NC · PubMed Central
Fig 5 Summary table for credibility assessment using confidence in network meta-analysis (CINeMA). SSRI=selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
Fig 5 Summary table for credibility assessment using confidence in network meta-analysis (CINeMA). SSRI=selective serotonin reuptake inhibitorCC BY-NC · PubMed Central
Fig 6 Effects of interventions versus active control on depression (lower is better) by sex. Shading represents 95% credible intervals
Fig 6 Effects of interventions versus active control on depression (lower is better) by sex. Shading represents 95% credible intervalsCC BY-NC · PubMed Central
Fig 7 Effects of interventions versus active control on depression (lower is better) by age. Shading represents 95% credible intervals
Fig 7 Effects of interventions versus active control on depression (lower is better) by age. Shading represents 95% credible intervalsCC BY-NC · PubMed Central
Fig 8 Dose-response curve for intensity (METs) across exercise modalities compared with active control. METs=metabolic equivalents of task
Fig 8 Dose-response curve for intensity (METs) across exercise modalities compared with active control. METs=metabolic equivalents of taskCC BY-NC · PubMed Central

Verification

Claims the paper makes

69 Own result · 29 Own interpretation · 28 Not checked yet · 20 Own method · 15 No basis given · 1 Supported so far

Verify all 44 references — free account

Show all 85 claims

  • Probably not a substantial claim. 48
  • It may state two separate claims as one. 40
77 of 77
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The network meta-analysis assumes transitivity: the only systematic difference between arms is the treatment, not other confounders.

    “Incoherence provides some evidence the network may violate the assumption of transitivity: that the only systematic difference between arms is the treatment, not other confounders.”
    “The results of the global test design-by-treatment interaction model were not statistically significant, supporting the assumption of transitivity (χ2=94.92, df=75, P=0.06).”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Exercise interventions can be grouped into homogenous nodes for network meta-analysis.

    “These trials could be included because network meta-analysis methods allows for the grouping of those interventions into homogenous nodes.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The observed effect sizes correspond to clinically significant improvements for patients.

    “practitioners can expect patients to experience clinically significant effects from walking, running, yoga, qigong, strength training, and mixed aerobic exercise.”
3 of 3

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Citations

Cites

Show all 64 references

Research works printed but not linked: 6

  1. National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK). Depression: The Treatment and Management of Depression in Adults (Updated Edition). Leicester (UK): British Psychological Society; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22132433
  2. American Psychiatric Association. Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Major Depressive Disorder. Third Edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2010. 87 p. https://psychiatryonline.org/pb/assets/raw/sitewide/practice_guidelines/guidelines/mdd-1410197717630.pdf
  3. 10.2307/20056429 · DOI
  4. Veritas Health Innovation. Covidence systematic review software. Melbourne, Australia; 2023. www.covidence.org
  5. Chu IH . Effect of exercise intensity during aerobic training on depressive symptoms in initially sedentary depressed women. Dissertation Abstracts International B: Sciences and Engineering 2018;78(11-B(E)).
  6. Hunsley, 2002, Dodo bird, phoenix, or urban legend?, Sci Rev Ment Health Pract, 1, 11

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Metadata

Authors
Noetel, M., Sanders, T., Gallardo-Gómez, D., Taylor, P., del Pozo Cruz, B., van den Hoek, D., Smith, J. J., Mahoney, J., Spathis, J., Moresi, M., Pagano, R., Pagano, L., Vasconcellos, R., Arnott, H., Varley, B., Parker, P., Biddle, S., & Lonsdale, C.
Affiliations
  • The University of Queensland (AU)
  • Australian Catholic University (AU)
  • Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
  • Department of Clinical Biomechanics and Sports Science, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
  • School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Petrie, QLD, Australia
  • University of Newcastle Australia (AU)
  • Macquarie University (AU)
  • The University of Sydney (AU)
  • University of Southern Queensland (AU)
Corresponding author
Noetel, Michael
Venue
BMJ
Publisher
BMJ
Published
2024-02-14
Volume
384
Pages
e075847
ISSN
1756-1833 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4391847428
Cited by
707
References
64
Citations by year
2026: 303 · 2025: 286 · 2024: 118
FWCI
40.18
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • BMJ (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Jyväskylä University Digital Archive (University of Jyväskylä) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • RODIN (Universidad de Cádiz) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • University of Southern Denmark Research Portal (University of Southern Denmark) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
  • UNSWorks (University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Physical Activity and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology (medical) › Treatment of Major Depression
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords
exercise therapy, major depressive disorder, exercise dose-response, walking and jogging, yoga, resistance training, Tai Chi, qigong, aerobic exercise, antidepressants, psychotherapy, treatment acceptability, comorbidities, expectancy effects, publication bias, risk of bias assessment
MeSH terms
Antidepressive Agents, Major Depressive Disorder, Exercise Therapy, Humans, Psychotherapy, Yoga, Exercise, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Treatment Outcome

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