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Can physical exercise modulate cortisol level in subjects with depression? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Ana Heloisa Nascimento Beserra1,2, Priscila Kameda1,2, Andrea Camaz Deslandes1,2
1Instituto de Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
|December 21, 2018
Summary
Physical exercise training can lower cortisol levels in individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD). Aerobic exercise performed five times weekly showed the most significant impact on reducing stress hormones in MDD patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Major depressive disorder (MDD) is linked to chronic stress and cortisol level imbalances.
- Cortisol levels in MDD patients can normalize with symptom remission.
- Exercise impacts cortisol in healthy individuals, but its effect in MDD is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize evidence on cortisol level changes following exercise in MDD patients.
- To evaluate the efficacy of exercise interventions for managing cortisol in depression.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search across multiple databases (PubMed, Scopus, etc.).
- Random effects meta-analysis to calculate standardized mean difference (SMD).
- Analysis of forest plots, funnel plots, sensitivity, and subgroup analyses.
Main Results:
- Five studies with seven analyses were included, showing a cortisol reduction in the exercise group (SMD = -0.65).
- Aerobic exercise, performed five times weekly, demonstrated a significant effect on cortisol reduction.
- Results require cautious interpretation due to limited studies and heterogeneity.
Conclusions:
- Physical exercise effectively reduces cortisol levels in individuals with MDD.
- The effectiveness of exercise interventions is influenced by exercise type, frequency, and cortisol measurement methods.
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