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Depression and Anxiety Disorders: Benefits of Exercise, Yoga, and Meditation.

American family physician
January 1, 1970
Sy Atezaz Saeed et al. (3 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of mindfulness-based meditation as a treatment for depression and anxiety disorders, both as monotherapy and adjunctive therapy.

Results Summary

Mindfulness-based meditation showed positive effects on depression, with benefits lasting six months or more. While evidence for anxiety disorders was less consistent, it supported adjunctive use, with no apparent negative effects reported.

Population

Individuals with depression or anxiety disorders, including treatment-resistant depression, unipolar depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and panic disorder.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Effects observed for six months or more (exact intervention duration not specified)

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (8)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
exercise
increase
treatment-resistant depression, unipolar depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder
-
-
seems most helpful
#1
yoga
increase
depression
-
-
shows positive effects
#2
yoga
increase
anxiety disorders, particularly panic disorder
-
-
facilitates treatment
#3
tai chi and qi gong
increase
depression
-
-
may be helpful
#4
mindfulness-based meditation
increase
depression
-
-
has positive effects
#5
mindfulness-based meditation
increase
depression
-
six months or more
effects can last for six months or more
#6
mindfulness-based interventions
no change
-
-
-
no apparent negative effects
#7
mindfulness-based interventions
increase
-
patients with depression and anxiety disorders
-
general health benefits justify their use
#8
Abstract

Many people with depression or anxiety turn to nonpharmacologic and nonconventional interventions, including exercise, yoga, meditation, tai chi, or qi gong. Meta-analyses and systematic reviews have shown that these interventions can improve symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders. As an adjunctive treatment, exercise seems most helpful for treatment-resistant depression, unipolar depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Yoga as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy shows positive effects, particularly for depression. As an adjunctive therapy, it facilitates treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly panic disorder. Tai chi and qi gong may be helpful as adjunctive therapies for depression, but effects are inconsistent. As monotherapy or an adjunctive therapy, mindfulness-based meditation has positive effects on depression, and its effects can last for six months or more. Although positive findings are less common in people with anxiety disorders, the evidence supports adjunctive use. There are no apparent negative effects of mindfulness-based interventions, and their general health benefits justify their use as adjunctive therapy for patients with depression and anxiety disorders.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AnxietyDepressionExerciseHumansMeditationStress, PsychologicalTai JiYoga
Study Links
PubMed ID31083878
Quality Scores
Safety90
Efficacy80/10
Quality85/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations142
Citations/Year23.7
Relative Citation Ratio10.28
NIH Percentile97.9%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score2.07
Normalized Score0.85
Related Supplements
Depression and Anxiety Disorders: Benefits of Exercise, Yoga... | Panacea Index