Exercise Shows Comparable Effectiveness to Therapy for Depression Treatment

Regular physical activity may ease symptoms of depression about as effectively as psychological therapy, according to an updated Cochrane review.

When researchers compared exercise with antidepressant medication, they found similar benefits, although the certainty of that evidence was lower.

Exercise stands out as a low cost and widely accessible option that also improves physical health, making it appealing to both patients and healthcare professionals.

Researchers found that light to moderate activity over multiple sessions worked best, with few side effects.

While it's not a cure-all, exercise may be a powerful and accessible tool for many people.