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Meditation, exercise improve depressive symptoms, rumination

Recent findings indicated meditation and exercise increased cognitive control processes and decreased depressive symptoms and ruminative thought patterns in typically healthy individuals and those with major depressive disorder.

“We are excited by the findings because we saw such a meaningful improvement in both clinically depressed and nondepressed students,” study researcher Brandon Alderman, PhD, of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, said in a press release. “It is the first time that both of these two behavioral therapies have been looked at together for dealing with depression.”

To test the efficacy of mental and physical training, a clinical intervention that combines mental training through meditation and physical training through aerobic exercise, researchers conducted an analysis of 52 individuals. Study participants attended biweekly sessions consisting of 30 minutes of focused-attention meditation and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for 8 weeks.

Study participants with major depressive disorder (n = 22) reported significantly less depressive symptoms and ruminative thoughts following intervention completion.

Typical healthy individuals (n = 30) also reported less depressive symptoms at follow-up.

Findings indicated improved neural responses during the detection and resolution of conflicting stimuli.

“We know these therapies can be practiced over a lifetime and that they will be effective in improving mental and cognitive health,” Alderman said in the release. “The good news is that this intervention can be practiced by anyone at any time and at no cost.” – by Amanda Oldt

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.