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Exercise Boosts Drug Treatment for Depression: Presented at SFN
By Roberta Friedman, PhD
NEW ORLEANS, LA -- November 10, 2003 -- Exercise significantly decreased symptoms of depression in people already taking commonly prescribed drugs for the problem, according to research at the University of Texas Southwest Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, presented here today at Neuroscience 2003, the Society for Neuroscience 33rd Annual Meeting.
Study investigator Tracy Greer, PhD, of the Center's psychiatry department, said, "one of the biggest challenges in treating depression, is [that] people are left with residual symptoms. Drugs have an effect, they just don't have enough of an effect."
"A common strategy these days is for physicians to add another drug," Dr. Greer said. "Unlike with adding another medication, adding exercise reduces the risk of bothersome side effects," she explained. Exercise adds health benefits as well, Dr. Greer noted.
The investigators studied 17 patients, with an average age of 39 years. The patients had residual symptoms despite taking either selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or venlafaxine extended release. Participants cited such continuing problems as insomnia, inability to concentrate, sadness, and irritability.
The subjects' age at onset of depression averaged 25 years. Major depression was confirmed by the structured clinical interview for the Axis I disorders, classified according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition. Treatment with medication was established for 1 to 9 months prior to study entry. Patients were sedentary or exercising less than 3 days a week.
Exercise included treadmill, walking, or cycling for 12 weeks, with at least 30 minutes spent on the activity for most days of the week. The exercise prescribed was the equivalent of 17.5 kcal per kg per week. Clinicians and patients rated symptoms every week.
The Hamilton Rating Scale provided the physician-rated outcome, while the Inventory for Depressive Symptomatology served as the patients' self-report vehicle. Hamilton scores fell from a mean of 17.4 at baseline, to 7.0 at week 12 (P < .05). Self-rating scores also fell significantly, from 34.8 at baseline to 12.9 at week 12. Intent-to-treat analyses also demonstrated statistically significant improvements for both ratings.
A larger study is underway.
[Study Title: Exercise as an Augmenting Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder: A Pilot Study. Abstract 851.9]
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