February 2001 PMID 11020092

Exercise treatment for major depression: maintenance of therapeutic benefit at 10 months.

M Babyak, J A Blumenthal, S Herman, P Khatri, M Doraiswamy, K Moore, W E Craighead, T T Baldewicz, K R Krishnan

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Mentions

69
Peak: 8 in Oct 2023
across 5 sources since Apr 2019

Extended reach

70,422
potential audience

Total likes

125

Video views

1,019

Mentions per month

Apr 2019 – Jun 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News23 articles
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  • X / Twitter14 posts
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  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions collectively recognize the study's findings that exercise can be as effective as medication for depression, citing past research, clinical guidelines, and personal clinical experiences. The tone varies from supportive to inquisitive, highlighting a moderate but meaningful engagement with the topic's implications for practice and future research.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions agree that exercise is an effective treatment for depression, referencing previous studies and guidelines supporting this view.

InterestModerate interest

Participants show moderate interest, with some expressing curiosity or mentioning ongoing debates, indicating engagement but not overwhelming enthusiasm.

EngagementModerate engagement

Comments involve referencing specific studies, clinical guidelines, and personal observations, demonstrating a thoughtful level of involvement.

ImpactModerate impact

The insights shared suggest that the publication could influence clinical practices and personal treatment approaches, thus having a notable impact.

Abstract in brief

  • The study followed 156 adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) to evaluate the lasting effects of different treatments—exercise, medication, or both—over 10 months, including a 6-month post-treatment period.
  • All groups showed improvement after 4 months, but at 10 months, those who used exercise alone had lower relapse rates compared to medication, especially if they continued exercising independently.
  • Continuing exercise during the follow-up was linked to a significant reduction in depression recurrence, suggesting that exercise is a feasible and effective long-term treatment for MDD.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Chris Aiken, MD
@chrisaikenmd · X

Confused by the debate below. Every week I see patients whose #depression started after stopping exercise. NICE guidelines recommend it; dozens of RCTs & basic science support it, including this showing greater prevention w/ exercise vs antidepressant https://t.co/ZBrv0LDksQ https://t.co/GyJYXmtxka

Oct 12, 2023 · 28 likes · 5 shares · 8,468 followers View post →
Dr Dawn Arda
@DawnArda · X

https://t.co/JUjyCdt6KQ

May 27, 2025 · 12 likes · 1 share · 8,216 followers View post →
Pete
@post_liberal · X

‘Among individuals with major depressive disorder, exercise therapy is feasible and is associated with significant therapeutic benefit, especially if exercise is continued over time’ https://t.co/0KTHvKNuyY

Oct 20, 2023 · 2 likes · 9,685 followers View post →
BrianErenstone
@berensto1 · X

RT @DawnArda: https://t.co/JUjyCdt6KQ

Jun 14, 2025 · 1 share · 26,923 followers View post →
Chris Aiken, MD
@chrisaikenmd · X

@PloederlM Here’s the prevention study https://t.co/ZBrv0LDksQ

Oct 12, 2023 · 8,468 followers View post →
Dr. Eddie Ramirez
@EddieRDMD · X

@enervami @elzorrotacneno Un pequeño estudio en el año 2000 por James Blumenthal y colegas involucró a 156 adultos con trastorno depresivo mayor, mostrando que el ejercicio aeróbico era tan efectivo como la medicación para reducir los síntomas de la depresión. https://t.co/U4iIKqjFnW Luego:

Jun 10, 2024 · 4,900 followers View post →

All mentions

BrianErenstone
@berensto1 · X

RT @DawnArda: https://t.co/JUjyCdt6KQ

Jun 14, 2025 · 1 share · 26,923 followers View post →
Dr Dawn Arda
@DawnArda · X

https://t.co/JUjyCdt6KQ

May 27, 2025 · 12 likes · 1 share · 8,216 followers View post →
Dr. Eddie Ramirez
@EddieRDMD · X

@enervami @elzorrotacneno Un pequeño estudio en el año 2000 por James Blumenthal y colegas involucró a 156 adultos con trastorno depresivo mayor, mostrando que el ejercicio aeróbico era tan efectivo como la medicación para reducir los síntomas de la depresión. https://t.co/U4iIKqjFnW Luego:

Jun 10, 2024 · 4,900 followers View post →
Pete
@post_liberal · X

‘Among individuals with major depressive disorder, exercise therapy is feasible and is associated with significant therapeutic benefit, especially if exercise is continued over time’ https://t.co/0KTHvKNuyY

Oct 20, 2023 · 2 likes · 9,685 followers View post →
chronicallyundifferentiated
@AcGaryS · X

RT @chrisaikenmd: Confused by the debate below. Every week I see patients whose #depression started after stopping exercise. NICE guideline…

Oct 12, 2023 · 5 shares · 55 followers View post →
octavio
@dontavo66 · X

RT @chrisaikenmd: Confused by the debate below. Every week I see patients whose #depression started after stopping exercise. NICE guideline…

Oct 12, 2023 · 5 shares · 330 followers View post →
Alexander Young
@DrAlexYoung · X

RT @chrisaikenmd: Confused by the debate below. Every week I see patients whose #depression started after stopping exercise. NICE guideline…

Oct 12, 2023 · 5 shares · 275 followers View post →
A Punk Rock Future
@APunkRockFuture · X

RT @chrisaikenmd: Confused by the debate below. Every week I see patients whose #depression started after stopping exercise. NICE guideline…

Oct 12, 2023 · 5 shares · 1,332 followers View post →
Alzheimer's Prevention
@AlzheimersPrev2 · X

RT @chrisaikenmd: Confused by the debate below. Every week I see patients whose #depression started after stopping exercise. NICE guideline…

Oct 12, 2023 · 5 shares · 398 followers View post →
Chris Aiken, MD
@chrisaikenmd · X

Confused by the debate below. Every week I see patients whose #depression started after stopping exercise. NICE guidelines recommend it; dozens of RCTs & basic science support it, including this showing greater prevention w/ exercise vs antidepressant https://t.co/ZBrv0LDksQ https://t.co/GyJYXmtxka

Oct 12, 2023 · 28 likes · 5 shares · 8,468 followers View post →
Chris Aiken, MD
@chrisaikenmd · X

@PloederlM Here’s the prevention study https://t.co/ZBrv0LDksQ

Oct 12, 2023 · 8,468 followers View post →
Milan Matić
@_MilanSI · X

I know I'm gonna get in trouble for this tweet, so I will just link this study which had people with depression symptoms and the effectiveness of exercise: https://t.co/AEXkIld5LB

Jan 21, 2023 · 36 followers View post →
マティー@体育系学生
@maty_sports · X

☆うつ症状を克服するには? ✅うつ病の患者に対して、これまでは薬を用いた薬物療法が主に用いられてきたが、薬物療法は再発率が高い ✅そこで注目されるのが、運動療法

May 31, 2022 · 24 followers View post →
Franco Fortuna
@francofortuna_ · X

Exercise Treatment for Major Depression: Maintenance of Therapeutic Benefit at 10 Months https://t.co/e7PQmntMIg

Apr 10, 2019 · 230 followers View post →