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Effects of exercise training on older patients with major depression
16-week RCT in 156 adults ≥50 years with major depressive disorder: supervised aerobic exercise, sertraline, or combined treatment did not differ significantly on Hamilton Depression Rating Scale or Beck Depression Inventory after treatment (P=0.67); aerobic fitness improved most in exercise arms.
Design
- RCT; n = 156 (MDD, age ≥50 y)
- Arms: supervised aerobic exercise vs sertraline vs combined
- Duration: 16 weeks; primary mood scales HAM-D and BDI
Mood outcomes (abstract)
- No statistically significant between-arm differences on HAM-D or BDI after treatment (P = .67); growth-curve models similarly show parallel trajectories once baseline severity is modelled
Interpretation
Supports exercise as a credible non-drug option for older MDD in research clinics, not proof that exercise replaces medication for every patient outside trial inclusion criteria.
Publication
Blumenthal JA, Babyak MA, Moore KA, et al. Arch Intern Med. 1999 Oct 25;159(19):2349-56. PMID 10547175.
Outcomes
- After 16 weeks, aerobic exercise, sertraline, and combined treatment arms did not differ significantly on HAM-D or BDI scores in the primary between-group comparison (P=0.67 per abstract).
- Aerobic capacity increased in exercise-containing arms versus medication-only arm per trial secondary fitness measures (see paper tables).