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Join A Club

Do ou feel like helping somebody to stop suffering from depression?  Have them join a club to lift their spirits. People suffering from depression could be helped by exercise.  Aerobic exercise may work faster than medication to lift depression, according to a new study conducted by Berlin-based researchers.

A group of five men and seven women, with an average age of 49 years and all suffering from moderate to severe depression, were put on a ten-day exercise regimen that consisted of 30 minutes a day on a treadmill alternating between walking and running.

After ten days, six out of the twelve were substantially less depressed, including five in whom drug treatment had been unsuccessful, the researchers report. Two patients said they were slightly less depressed while there was no change in the remaining four.

The German scientists, who believe the benefits of exercise are probably a result of changes in hormones and neurotransmitters, also note that it normally takes two to four weeks for antidepressant drugs to have an effect.

Encouraged by the positive outcome of the pilot study, the team has already begun a randomized controlled study to further investigate the benefits of aerobic exercise in patients with major depression.