Exercise may not improve depression treatment

Individuals who require a prescription to buy Paxil to treat their depressive symptoms are often advised to get more exercise, as physical activity has been linked to improved treatment outcomes. However, a new study questions the effectiveness of this recommendation.

A team of British researchers asked a group of 361 adults who sought treatment for depression to engage in an eight-month exercise program or continue receiving standard care. It was expected that people in the exercise group would fare better in a number of measures of depression severity after participating in the program.

However, the results showed that there was little difference between the experiences of people in the exercise group and those assigned to receive standard care. Severity of symptoms and use of antidepressant medications remained mostly equal between the two groups.

The researchers said the findings should cause healthcare providers to question recommendations that encourage people with depression to get exercise. There may be many health benefits associated with increased physical activity, but improvements in depressive symptoms do not appear to be among them.