Physical exercise for late-life major depression. (September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Murri, M. Belvederi; Amore, M.; Menchetti, M.; Toni, G.; Neviani, F.; Cerri, M.; Rocchi, M. B. L.; Zocchi, D.; Bagnoli, L.; Tam, E.; Buffa, A.; Ferrara, S.; Neri, M.; Alexopoulos, G. S.; Zanetidou, S.
• Is Part Of: British journal of psychiatry. Volume 207:Number 3(2015)
• Page Start: 235
• Page End: 242
• Publication Date: 2015-09
• Subjects: Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychology, Pathological -- Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.114.150516
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1250

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Interventions including physical exercise may help improve the outcomes of late-life major depression, but few studies are available. Aims: To investigate whether augmenting sertraline therapy with physical exercise leads to better outcomes of late-life major depression. Method: Primary care patients (>65 years) with major depression were randomised to 24 weeks of higher-intensity, progressive aerobic exercise plus sertraline (S+PAE), lower-intensity, non-progressive exercise plus sertraline (S+NPE) and sertraline alone. The primary outcome was remission (a score of $10 on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression). Results: A total of 121 patients were included. At study end, 45% of participants in the sertraline group, 73% of those in the S+NPE group and 81% of those in the S+PAE group achieved remission ( P = 0.001). A shorter time to remission was observed in the S+PAE group than in the sertraline-only group. Conclusions: Physical exercise may be a safe and effective augmentation to antidepressant therapy in late-life major depression.