THE EFFICACY OF MULTIPLE NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT MODALITIES FOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND NETWORK META-ANALYSIS

Abstract

Physical activity has been theorized and shown to provide therapeutic benefits for those suffering from depressive disorders. Evidence based reviews have shown exercise to be an efficacious treatment modality to decrease depressive symptomatology. Although multiple reviews have demonstrated its effectiveness, exercise is yet to be defined as an evidence-based treatment for those suffering from depression. Thus, the aim of this review is two-fold: to perform an up-to-date meta-analysis examining the efficacy of physical activity in decreasing depressive symptomatology, and to compare physical activity, as an intervention, to three different evidence based psychotherapeutic treatment modalities.