Lifestyle Changes Show Comparable Effectiveness to CBT in Easing Depression
A recent study has indicated that lifestyle changes, including advice on diet, exercise, and sleep, can be as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in alleviating symptoms of depression. The eight-week study involved 267 adults diagnosed with moderate-to-severe depression or bipolar disorder. Participants were divided into two groups: one receiving CBT and the other receiving lifestyle advice delivered remotely by accredited dietitians and exercise physiologists. The lifestyle intervention group showed an average decrease of 8.55 points on a standard 60-point depression scale, which was 1.73 points more than the 6.82-point decrease observed in the CBT group. This suggests that lifestyle modifications are at least non-inferior to traditional therapy. The positive effects on self-reported depression were maintained over 16- and 24-week follow-up periods. The research highlights that such an approach may help individuals build a healthier foundation for their lives rather than solely treating indivi...
