Source: RUB
Physical activity does the brain good. For example, it fosters its ability to change and adapt.
The
dual beneficial effect of physical activity in depression is confirmed
by a study at the University Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at
Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) at the Ostwestfalen-Lippe campus: physical
activity not only reduces depressive symptoms. It also increases the
brain’s ability to change, which is necessary for adaptation and
learning processes.
“The
results show how important seemingly simple things like physical
activity are in treating and preventing illnesses such as depression,”
says study leader associate professor Dr. Karin Rosenkranz.
The study was published on 9 June 2021 in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry.
Exercise programme promotes motivation and togetherness
People
with depression often withdraw and are physically inactive. To
investigate the effect of physical activity, Karin Rosenkranz’s working
group enlisted 41 people, who were undergoing treatment at the hospital,
for the study. The participants were each assigned to one of two
groups, one of which completed a three-week exercise programme.
The
programme, which was developed by the sports science team from the
University of Bielefeld led by Professor Thomas Schack, was varied,
contained fun elements, and did not take the form of a competition or
test, but instead required teamwork from the participants.
“This
specifically promoted motivation and social togetherness while breaking
down a fear of challenges and negative experiences with physical
activity — such as school PE lessons,” explains Karin Rosenkranz. The
other group took part in a control programme without physical activity.
The
study team ascertained the severity of the depressive symptoms, such as
a loss of drive and interest, lack of motivation and negative feelings,
both before and after the programme. The brain’s ability to change,
known as neuroplasticity, was also measured. It can be determined
externally with the help of transcranial magnetic stimulation.
“The ability to change is important for all of the brain’s learning and adaptation processes,” explains Karin Rosenkranz.
Ability to change increased — symptoms decreased
The
results show that the brain’s ability to change is lower in people with
depression than in healthy people. Following the programme with
physical activity, this ability to change increased significantly and
achieved the same values as healthy people. At the same time, depressive
symptoms decreased in the group.
“The
more the ability to change increased, the more clearly the clinical
symptoms decreased,” summarises Karin Rosenkranz. These changes were not
so pronounced in the group who took part in the control programme.
“This
shows that physical activity has an effect on symptoms and the brain’s
ability to change. We cannot say to what extent the change in symptoms
and the brain’s ability to change are causally linked based on this
data,” says the doctor, referring to the limitations. “It is known that
physical activity does the brain good, as it, for instance, promotes the
formation of neuron connections. This could certainly also play a role
here.”
About this exercise and depression research news
Source: RUB
Contact: Press Office – RUB
Image: The image is in the public domain
Original Research: Open access.
“Physical Activity Reduces Clinical Symptoms and Restores Neuroplasticity in Major Depression”
by Wanja Brüchle, Caroline Schwarzer, Christina Berns, Sebastian Scho,
Jessica Schneefeld, Dirk Koester, Thomas Schack, Udo Schneider, Karin
Rosenkranz. Frontiers in Psychiatry