Effectiveness of physical activity and cognitive behavioral therapy on depression: meta-analysis

Abstract

The study determined the effects of physical exercise and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) on depression. The databases consulted were: Google Scholar, Redalyc, Scielo, ScienceDirect Collection, PsycINFO, EBSCOhost and ProQuest Central. The systematic review was carried out from 14 August 2018 to 10 August 2021. The following eligibility criteria were used: a) randomized trials with inter-group design (control group and experimental group), b) physical exercise, CBT or its combination as independent variables, c) report of both specified and unspecified clinical depression scores, measured by valid psychometric instruments, d) year of publication greater than 1980, and e) participants of both sexes older than 18 years. 103 studies were part of the results (126 effect sizes), for a total of 9,488 participants. Additionally, as an intervention, 36 studies were characterized by using CBT, 62 exercise and 5 used a combination of both. Depression was reduced globally, with a high effect size (d =-.87, n = 126, 95%CI =-.98,-. 75, Z =-14.53, p