New research claims that running away from problems could be the solution. Yes, you read that right! A new study claims that running could be as effective as medication when it comes to treating depression in people.
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- Who is behind this new study?
- What does the study say?
- When was the study published?
- Why did running help?
- How does the study was realized?
Who is behind this new study?
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The study appeared in the Journal of Affective Disorders and was published by a research group from the Department of Psychiatry at Amsterdam UMC, Vrije University, Amsterdam.
What does the study say?
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A new European study is causing a stir in the fitness world by claiming that “running therapy” could be an alternative to medication for patients with depression and anxiety.
According to the study, almost half, exactly 44 percent, of people suffering from depression and anxiety reported an improvement in their condition, regardless of whether they had participated in regular running sessions for 16 weeks or followed a 16-week treatment. weeks on antidepressant medications.
When was the study published?
The investigation was made public in its entirety online on February 23, 2023.
Why did running help?
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Exercising positively influenced participants’ weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, and heart function. In contrast, people who opted for antidepressants experienced a decrease in their overall fitness levels.
Professor Brenda Penninx revealed: “Antidepressants generally had a worse impact on body weight, heart rate variability and blood pressure, while running therapy produced a better effect on overall fitness and heart rate, For example”.
He added: “In the end, patients are only truly helped when we improve their mental health without unnecessarily worsening their physical health.” However, the specialist did not fail to highlight that a greater proportion of the group of runners abandoned the program, with only 52 percent adhering to the regimen, compared to 82 percent of those who continued taking the prescribed pills.
The professor said: “The study shows that many people like the idea of exercising, but it can be difficult to do, although the benefits are significant.”
Penninx concluded: “Our results suggest that implementing exercise therapy is something we should take much more seriously, as it could be a good option, and perhaps even better, for some of our patients.”
How does the study was realized?
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Scientists at Vrije University in Amsterdam asked 141 patients struggling with depression and anxiety to choose between a group running routine, performed two or three times a week, or undergoing treatment with selective glucose reuptake inhibitor antidepressants. serotonin (SSRI).
After 16 weeks, the researchers assessed the participants’ physical and mental well-being. Of the total, 96 people decided to join the running group, while 45 preferred the medication route.
At a recent Neuropsychopharmacology conference in Barcelona, Professor Brenda Penninx revealed that the team found that “both interventions helped with depression to approximately the same extent.”
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Source: vtt.edu.vn