Physical activity not only improved depressive symptoms but also restored deficient neuroplasticity in patients with major depressive disorder, according to a study published online in Frontiers in Psychiatry.

“Importantly, both changes were strongly related on the individual patients’ level, highlighting the key role of neuroplasticity in the pathophysiology and the clinical relevance of neuroplasticity-enhancing interventions for the treatment of major depressive disorder,” researchers wrote.

The study included 41 adults with major depressive disorder assigned to a 3-week intervention. Among them, 23 participated in a physical activity program that researchers described as varied, fun, and emphasized teamwork rather than competition.

“This specifically promoted motivation and social togetherness while breaking down a fear of challenges and negative experiences with physical activity—such as school PE [physical education] lessons,” said study leader Karin Rosenkranz, PhD, an associate professor at Ruhr-Universität Bochum in Germany.

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The remaining 18 patients participated in a control intervention with cognitive games. The control intervention also promoted teamwork and attention from an instructor but was performed while seated and did not involve physical activity.

Researchers measured depression severity using patient- and investigator-rated scales, as well as neuroplasticity using transcranial magnetic stimulation, before and after the interventions.

Although both participant groups showed low neuroplasticity at baseline, neuroplasticity in the physical activity group increased significantly after the intervention to levels on par with healthy individuals, according to the study. At the same time, depressive symptoms decreased among participants in the activity group.

In the control group, changes were less pronounced, researchers reported.

“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,” said Rosenkranz. “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.”

—Jolynn Tumolo

References

Brüchle W, Schwarzer C, Berns C, et al. Physical activity reduces clinical symptoms and restores neuroplasticity in major depression. Front Psychiatry. Published online June 9, 2021. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.660642

Physical activity jolts brain into action in the event of depression. News release. Ruhr-University Bochum. August 4, 2021. Accessed August 9, 2021.