Meditative exercise shows positive effect
A systematic review in 2008 assessed 6 RCTs that evaluated meditative exercises such as yoga, tai chi, and qigong for treating depression. All 6 studies showed a “positive response” to treatment, with 5 studies reporting a statistically significant reduction in depression scores. Because a great deal of heterogeneity existed among study parameters, no quantitative analysis was done to estimate the size of the positive effect.3
Recommendations
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommends structured, supervised exercise programs, 3 times a week for 45 to 60 minutes each session over 10 to 14 weeks to treat mild depression.4
The Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement guideline recommends physical activity for 30 minutes 3 to 5 days a week to decrease symptoms of major depression.5