Depression and exercise: A clinical review and management guideline

Abstract

Context: There is an increasing interest to detect how exercise afects depression symptoms. Although recent fndings confrm the positive efect of exercise on depression, there is no clear guideline regarding advice on exercise for patients with depression. The following review aims at presenting the contemporary literature regarding the nature of depression, exercise, the underlying mechanisms and the management of an exercise program in individuals with depression. Evidence Acquisition: We searched electronic databases including Cochrane Library, PubMed, ISI web of knowledge and PsychInfo (from January 2000 to October 2014). We reviewed the systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and large-scale randomized control trials on efects of exercise on depression. Results: Recent evidence has emerged on characteristics of efective exercise programs and those patients with depression that will most beneft from the exercise programs. However due to the methodological weaknesses and inconsistencies of studies, conclusions must be made with caution. Conclusions: We have provided a number of recommendations for clinicians and researchers who plan to use exercise protocols in depression.