The DOI matches its Crossref record; 206 of the 206 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Exercise and the Treatment of Clinical Depression in Adults: Recent Findings and Future Directions
Abstract
This article critically reviews the evidence that exercise is effective in treating depression in adults. Depression is recognised as a mood state, clinical syndrome and psychiatric condition, and traditional methods for assessing depression (e.g. standard interviews, questionnaires) are described. In order to place exercise therapy into context, more established methods for treating clinical depression are discussed. Observational (e.g. cross-sectional and correlational) and interventional studies of exercise are reviewed in healthy adults, those with comorbid medical conditions, and patients with major depression. Potential mechanisms by which exercise may reduce depression are described, and directions for future research in the area are suggested. The available evidence provides considerable support for the value of exercise in reducing depressive symptoms in both healthy and clinical populations. However, many studies have significant methodological limitations. Thus, more data from carefully conducted clinical trials are needed before exercise can be recommended as an alternative to more traditional, empirically validated pharmacological and behavioural therapies.
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“Exercise has been shown to be effective in improving mood, but the mechanisms that underlie these changes and the specifics regarding type and frequency of exercise remain unclear. [31-33]”
From A pilot study on the effects of exercise on depression symptoms using levels of neurotransmitters and EEG as markers (2014) · cites this paper as [32]
In the citing paper
“Most notably, exercise-based interventions have been consistently demonstrated as having an antidepressant effect in people with depression [33, 34], with some studies reporting a treatment efficacy comparable to antidepressant medications or psychotherapy [35–37].”
From Moving to Beat Anxiety: Epidemiology and Therapeutic Issues with Physical Activity for Anxiety (2018) · cites this paper as [36]
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Exercise and Physical Activity for Older Adults
Chodzko-Zajko, W. J., Proctor, D. N., Fiatarone Singh, M. A., Minson, C. T., Nigg, C. R., Salem, G. J., & Skinner, J. S. (2009) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/mss.0b013e3181a0c95c · Cited by 5,153
NELSON, M. E., REJESKI, W. J., BLAIR, S. N., DUNCAN, P. W., JUDGE, J. O., KING, A. C., MACERA, C. A., & CASTANEDA-SCEPPA, C. (2007) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/mss.0b013e3180616aa2 · Cited by 2,089
Lichtman, J. H., Bigger, J. T., Blumenthal, J. A., Frasure-Smith, N., Kaufmann, P. G., Lespérance, F., Mark, D. B., Sheps, D. S., Taylor, C. B., & Froelicher, E. S. (2008) · Circulation · doi:10.1161/circulationaha.108.190769 · Cited by 1,482
Self-citationEvidence for prescribing exercise as therapy in chronic disease
Pedersen, B. K., & Saltin, B. (2006) · Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports · doi:10.1111/j.1600-0838.2006.00520.x · Cited by 1,384
The Psychobiology of Depression and Resilience to Stress: Implications for Prevention and Treatment
Southwick, S. M., Vythilingam, M., & Charney, D. S. (2005) · Annual Review of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.1.102803.143948 · Cited by 1,160
Metadata
- Authors
- Brosse, A. L., Sheets, E. S., Lett, H. S., & Blumenthal, J. A.
- Affiliations
- University of Colorado System (US)
- Duke University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Blumenthal, James A.
- Venue
- Sports Medicine
- Published
- 2002
- Volume
- 32
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- 741-760
- ISSN
- 0112-1642 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2042575337
- Cited by
- 505
- References
- 206
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 19 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 24 · 2014: 21 · 2013: 30 · 2012: 28
- FWCI
- 1.74
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Sports Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health
- National Institute of Mental Health (MH49679, R01MH049679)
- National Center for Research Resources (M01 RR 30)
- 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, depressive symptoms, depression assessment, comorbidities, pharmacotherapy, behavior therapy, adults
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Chronic Disease, Depression, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Exercise
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