Why the study?
The study aimed to compare the effects of aerobic training, strength training, and low-intensity exercise as adjunct treatments to pharmacotherapy for major depressive disorder in older persons.
Does moderate-intensity aerobic or strength training reduce depressive symptoms in older adults with MDD treated with antidepressants?
Does moderate-intensity aerobic or strength training reduce depressive symptoms in older adults with MDD treated with antidepressants?
Adding moderate-intensity aerobic or strength training to standard pharmacotherapy significantly reduces depressive symptoms in older adults with major depressive disorder.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Supports adding aerobic or strength training to antidepressants for older adults with MDD; extends evidence for exercise as adjunctive therapy.
Background: This study aimed to compare the effects of aerobic training (AT), strength training (ST) and low-intensity exercise in a control group (CG) as adjunct treatments to pharmacotherapy for major depressive disorder (MDD) in older persons. Methods: Older persons clinically diagnosed with MDD (n = 27) and treated with antidepressants were blindly randomized into three groups: AT, ST and a CG. All patients were evaluated prior to and 12 weeks after the intervention. Results: Compared with the CG, the AT and ST groups showed significant reductions in depressive symptoms (treatment response = 50% decrease in the pre- to postintervention assessment) through the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (AT group: χ², p = 0.044) and Beck Depression Inventory (ST group: χ², p = 0.044). Conclusion: Adding AT or ST with moderate intensity to the usual treatment promoted a greater reduction of MDD symptoms.
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Moraes et al. (2019) studied this question.
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