Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent medical illness that is associated with chronic stress. Patients with MDD can show an imbalance in cortisol levels, which can be restored with the remission of symptoms. Physical exercise training has been used as a tool to promote changes in cortisol levels in healthy individuals. However, it is unknown if exercise can produce the same results in individuals with MDD. To review evidence of cortisol changes after exercise training in individuals with MDD. We conducted a search on PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus, and PsycInfo databases. Random effects meta-analysis was performed and standardized mean difference (SMD) effect size was calculated. Analyses of forest and funnel plots was conducted using Stata v.11.0 software. At first, 463 studies were obtained in the search. After completion of the selection procedure, five articles with seven analyses were included. Type of exercise, frequency of training, cortisol measurement, and type of control group were analyzed. There was a reduction of cortisol levels in the exercise group (SMD = -0.65, 95%CI 1.30-0.01). Moreover, sensitivity analysis and subgroup analyses revealed an effect of type (aerobic exercise) and frequency (five times per week) of exercise on reduction of cortisol levels. However, these results should be interpreted cautiously due to the small number of studies and a substantial heterogeneity among them. Physical exercise promotes a reduction in cortisol levels in individuals with MDD. However, this finding can be influenced by type of exercise, weekly frequency, and type of cortisol measurement.
Highlights
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent medical illness that is associated with chronic stress
463 studies were obtained in the search considering exercise, cortisol, and depression
A moderate reduction of cortisol levels was found following an exercise intervention in people with depression. These results should be interpreted cautiously due to the small number of studies and a substantial heterogeneity among them considering type of exercise, type of cortisol measurement, frequency of exercise, and type of control group
Summary
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent medical illness that is associated with chronic stress. Sensitivity analysis and subgroup analyses revealed an effect of type (aerobic exercise) and frequency (five times per week) of exercise on reduction of cortisol levels These results should be interpreted cautiously due to the small number of studies and a substantial heterogeneity among them. Previous studies have investigated the effect of physical exercise training on MDD and significant reduction of depressive symptoms has been found.[14,15,16] A meta-analysis reinforced that physical exercise is an effective non-pharmacological treatment for depression in older adults.[17] There are several physiological hypotheses to explain the positive effect of exercise on MDD, including HPA changes.[18,19] Physical exercise can modulate cortisol levels after a single session of exercise or after physical exercise training,[20] possibly due to an upregulation of glucocorticoid receptor.[21] it is still unknown whether exercise training might promote the same cortisol effects in individuals with MDD
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
