New research compared the effects of antidepressants versus supervised running therapy for treating depression and anxiety. The study, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, found that both interventions led to similar improvement in symptoms over a 16-week trial period.
Around 44% of patients in both the medication group and running group experienced relief from their depression or anxiety. However, those who exercised also saw added gains in weight, waist size, blood pressure, and heart health, while the medication group slightly declined in these health measures.
Experts say there is no definitive answer on whether medication or exercise is universally better for mental health conditions like depression. The optimal treatment depends on various factors like severity of symptoms, personal preferences, and ability to adhere to an exercise program.
For people with mild to moderate depression, exercise may rival antidepressants in providing symptom relief with the added benefit of physical health improvements. But medication is still generally advised for severe depression, often in combination with other treatments and medical monitoring.
While studies like this contribute evidence, experts note limitations. Participants chose their treatment group, with more depressed individuals opting for medication, potentially skewing comparisons. It's also unclear whether instructed doses of exercise and medication were biologically equivalent.
In general, a personalized approach accounting for individual needs and preferences is recommended over a one-size-fits-all solution. Consistency also appears key for long-term benefits from exercise. More research is needed, but experts say neither treatment has to be used exclusively.