Abstract

GOMES, Aramid et al. The effectiveness of exercise in depression treatment. Revista Portuguesa de Enfermagem de Saúde Mental [online]. 2019, n.22, pp.58-64. ISSN 1647-2160.  https://doi.org/10.19131/rpesm.0264.

BACKGROUND: Considering the prevalence of mental illnesses and their associated comorbidities, promotion and treatment of mental health become the utmost importance. According to the literature, there are several aspects in which physical exercise has a relevant influence. In the field of mental health, it is also important to understand whether it may have benefits in the treatment of depressive disorders. AIM: To know the effectiveness of physical exercise in the treatment of depression. METHODS: Systematic reviews of effectiveness using the PICO strategy and PRISMA recommendations presented by the Joanna Briggs Institute and based on the question, What is the effectiveness of physical exercise in the treatment of depression? The research was performed using the following databases: Isi web of knowledge; Scopus; Trip database and EBSCO Host. This review took place throughout October of 2018. RESULTS: 310 results were identified. Five documents were analyzed, four were the result of searching the databases and one from bibliographic references. The selection was made after reading the title; elimination of duplicates; reading of abstracts and full texts. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with major depressive disorder to be treated with pharmacological therapy and physical exercise show a greater reduction in depressive symptoms, when compared to those who are subjected only to treatment with pharmacological therapy. Physical exercise has also proved to be an alternative to pharmacological increment. As a non-pharmacological intervention, it is the one with the greatest benefits in improving depression and depressive symptoms.

Keywords : Exercise; Therapeutics; Depression.

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