Introduction: Depression is a common and disabling disorder. Physical exercise could be beneficial for depressed patients. Objective: to compare the effectiveness of physical exercise with that of treatment with antidepressant drugs in patients with depression. Methods: a parallel trial was conducted with 2 randomized groups, the participants were selected from 10 family medicine outpatient clinics. Results: the probability of improvement of depressive symptomatology was higher in the AT group (odds ratio = 2.0; 95% CI, 1.3-3.2). Conclusions: In conclusion, both AT and PA, performed in group sessions, can decrease depressive symptomatology in persons ≥ 65 years diagnosed in primary care with mildmoderate depressive disorder.

depression, physical activity, elderly, primary care source: DeCS