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Exercise 'no help for depression', research suggests | Exercise 'no help for depression', research suggests |
(about 4 hours later) | |
By Branwen Jeffreys Health correspondent, BBC News | By Branwen Jeffreys Health correspondent, BBC News |
Combining exercise with conventional treatments for depression does not improve recovery, research suggests. | Combining exercise with conventional treatments for depression does not improve recovery, research suggests. |
In the NHS-funded study - published in the British Medical Journal - some patients were given help to boost their activity levels in addition to receiving therapy or anti-depressants. | In the NHS-funded study - published in the British Medical Journal - some patients were given help to boost their activity levels in addition to receiving therapy or anti-depressants. |
After a year all 361 patients had fewer signs of depression, but there was no difference between the two groups. | After a year all 361 patients had fewer signs of depression, but there was no difference between the two groups. |
Current guidelines suggest sufferers do up to three exercise sessions a week. | Current guidelines suggest sufferers do up to three exercise sessions a week. |
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) drew up that advice in 2004. | The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) drew up that advice in 2004. |
At the time it said that on the basis of the research available, increased physical activity could help those with mild depression. | At the time it said that on the basis of the research available, increased physical activity could help those with mild depression. |
Physical benefits | Physical benefits |
The latest study, carried out by teams from the Universities of Bristol and Exeter, looked at how that might actually work in a real clinical setting. | The latest study, carried out by teams from the Universities of Bristol and Exeter, looked at how that might actually work in a real clinical setting. |
All 361 people taking part were given conventional treatments appropriate to their level of depression. | All 361 people taking part were given conventional treatments appropriate to their level of depression. |
But for eight months some in a randomly allocated group were also given up advice on up to 13 separate occasions on how to increase their level of activity. | But for eight months some in a randomly allocated group were also given up advice on up to 13 separate occasions on how to increase their level of activity. |
It was up to individual patients what activity they chose to increase and by how much. | It was up to individual patients what activity they chose to increase and by how much. |
This approach produced good results in terms of encouraging people to do more over a sustained period of time - something which could have benefits to their general physical health. | This approach produced good results in terms of encouraging people to do more over a sustained period of time - something which could have benefits to their general physical health. |
But at the end of a year, researchers found no additional reduction in the symptoms of depression in the more active group. | But at the end of a year, researchers found no additional reduction in the symptoms of depression in the more active group. |
Prof John Campbell, from the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, which also took part in the study, said: "Many patients suffering from depression would prefer not to have to take traditional anti-depressant medication, preferring instead to consider alternative non-drug based forms of therapy. | Prof John Campbell, from the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, which also took part in the study, said: "Many patients suffering from depression would prefer not to have to take traditional anti-depressant medication, preferring instead to consider alternative non-drug based forms of therapy. |
"Exercise and activity appeared to offer promise as one such treatment, but this carefully designed research study has shown that exercise does not appear to be effective in treating depression." | "Exercise and activity appeared to offer promise as one such treatment, but this carefully designed research study has shown that exercise does not appear to be effective in treating depression." |
But he added that GPs were often faced with patients with a number of health problems for whom encouraging an active lifestyle might be of overall benefit. | But he added that GPs were often faced with patients with a number of health problems for whom encouraging an active lifestyle might be of overall benefit. |
At present, the NHS can refer patients for a course of supervised exercise sessions as part of treatment for a number of illnesses, including depression. | At present, the NHS can refer patients for a course of supervised exercise sessions as part of treatment for a number of illnesses, including depression. |
These findings are therefore likely to be taken into account when Nice next reviews its guidelines. | These findings are therefore likely to be taken into account when Nice next reviews its guidelines. |
The research was funded by the National Institute for Health Research, a government-backed programme. | The research was funded by the National Institute for Health Research, a government-backed programme. |
Do you have experience of depression? Has physical activity helped you? What treatments do you believe had an effect? Share your story using the form below. |