New Study Finds Running Therapy May Offer Similar Benefits to Antidepressants with Added Physical Improvements
A recent study conducted by researchers compared the effects of 16 weeks of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) – commonly prescribed antidepressants – with group running therapy on 141 patients suffering from anxiety and/or depression. The results revealed that both running and SSRIs had comparable benefits for mental health, but running therapy had the additional advantage of leading to physical health improvements, which were not observed with SSRI treatment.
The study, published in the Journal of Mental Health, aimed to shed light on the potential of exercise as a treatment option for mental health issues. Over the course of the study, participants were given the choice between exercise and medication, and it was discovered that there was a clear preference for exercise among the participants.
However, it was not all smooth sailing for the running therapy group, as the study also found that the dropout rate was higher compared to the SSRI group. This highlights the challenges of adhering to an exercise regimen and the importance of providing supervision and encouragement to maintain an exercise program.
Interestingly, the researchers also found that the SSRI group showed slightly worse physical conditions, including weight gain and compromised cardiovascular function, in comparison to the running group. These findings raise the question of whether prescribing antidepressants without considering potential side effects and their impact on physical health may be detrimental in the long run.
Based on these results, the researchers concluded that exercise should be taken more seriously as a potential treatment for mental health issues. While SSRIs were deemed generally safe and effective, the study emphasizes the importance of considering alternative options and potential side effects. Supervision and encouragement were highlighted as crucial factors in maintaining an exercise program.
The findings of this study add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that exercise can play a significant role in improving mental health. As the world grapples with an increasing burden of mental health disorders, the use of exercise as a complementary or standalone treatment option warrants further exploration.
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