Resistance training for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
2025 PRISMA systematic review and meta-analysis (29 RCTs, n=2,036) restricted to adults with clinically diagnosed depression finds resistance training versus non-exercise controls pooled SMD −0.94 on depression severity (95% CI −1.16 to −0.72) with high heterogeneity (I² ≈ 80%); exploratory subgroup contrasts favour primary over comorbid depression but are imprecise.
Design
- Registry: PROSPERO CRD42024583413
- Eligible trials: RCTs comparing resistance training to non-exercise control in adults with clinician-diagnosed depression
- Corpus: 29 RCTs, N = 2,036 (search through Aug 2024)
- Model: random-effects SMD with 95% CI; Cochrane RoB 2 risk-of-bias appraisal
Primary pooled outcome
- Depression severity vs non-exercise control: SMD −0.94 (95% CI −1.16 to −0.72; p < 0.001); I² ≈ 80% (high heterogeneity)
Exploratory subgroup signals (abstract)
- Primary depressive disorder: SMD −1.12 (95% CI −1.43 to −0.81)
- Comorbid depression: SMD −0.66 (95% CI −0.96 to −0.36)
- Between-subgroup Q: 4.41, p = 0.036 — authors still stress measurement variability and small strata; treat as hypothesis-generating
How to read next to Gordon et al. 2018
Gordon pooled inactive-control RET trials through 2017 with Hedges g ≈ 0.66. Chang et al. tighten eligibility toward diagnosed depression cohorts and report a larger pooled magnitude with similar RoB / heterogeneity caveats—do not equate either pooled number with superiority over psychotherapy or medication without direct comparator trials.
Publication
Chang Y, Wang H, Zhang X, et al. Front Psychol. 2025 Dec 15;16:1655855. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1655855. PMID 41473524.
Outcomes
- Effect Size (Cohen's d / SMD)-0.94d (Cohen's d)
- Exploratory subgroup: primary depression SMD −1.12 (95% CI −1.43 to −0.81) vs comorbid depression SMD −0.66 (95% CI −0.96 to −0.36); Q_between = 4.41, p = 0.036 (interpret cautiously).