A significant review of clinical trials, highlighted by ScienceDaily.com on January 8, 2026, reveals that regular physical activity can alleviate symptoms of depression as effectively as psychological therapy, presenting a promising and accessible treatment pathway for millions worldwide. This growing body of evidence suggests moving your body might lift depression almost as well as traditional therapy.
Depression affects over 280 million people globally, contributing substantially to disability and posing a major public health challenge. While conventional treatments like therapy and antidepressants remain crucial, the appeal of a low-cost, widely accessible option that also improves physical health is undeniable for both patients and healthcare professionals.
This new perspective underscores the potential of integrating exercise into mental health strategies, offering a complementary or even primary intervention for individuals seeking non-pharmacological approaches to manage their symptoms.
The Cochrane Review’s Insight on Exercise and Depression
The comprehensive Cochrane review, led by researchers at the University of Lancashire, analyzed data from 73 randomized controlled trials involving nearly 5,000 adults diagnosed with depression. Findings showed that exercise led to moderate reductions in depressive symptoms compared to no treatment, with similar improvements seen when measured against psychological therapy based on moderate certainty evidence from ten trials.
While comparisons with antidepressant medication also suggested comparable effects, the supporting evidence for this specific comparison was limited and considered low certainty. Professor Andrew Clegg, lead author of the review, emphasized, “Our findings suggest that exercise appears to be a safe and accessible option for helping to manage symptoms of depression.”
Reported side effects from exercise programs were uncommon, mainly muscle or joint injuries, contrasting with typical medication-related issues like fatigue and gastrointestinal problems experienced by those on antidepressants. This highlights the favorable safety profile of physical activity as an intervention.
Optimizing Physical Activity for Mental Well-being
The review also shed light on effective exercise strategies, indicating that light to moderate intensity activity might be more beneficial than vigorous workouts for alleviating depressive symptoms. Greater improvements were linked to completing between 13 and 36 exercise sessions, suggesting consistency plays a vital role.
No single form of exercise definitively outperformed others, though programs combining different types of activity and resistance training appeared more effective than aerobic exercise alone. Clegg noted the importance of finding “approaches that individuals are willing and able to maintain,” acknowledging that effectiveness varies person-to-person.
Despite the promising results, researchers maintain a cautious stance due to many included studies being small, often with fewer than 100 participants. Long-term impacts remain unclear as few studies tracked participants post-treatment, underscoring the need for larger, high-quality investigations to solidify these findings and explore lasting benefits.
The accumulating evidence strongly positions exercise as a viable and valuable tool in the broader spectrum of depression management. As research continues to refine optimal approaches and long-term outcomes, integrating physical activity into routine mental health care could significantly enhance global well-being, offering a simple yet profound step towards recovery for many.
