Higher daily step counts yield fewer depression symptoms among adults

There has been a recent shift toward lifestyle treatment, including increased movement and cognitive behavioral therapy as a first-line treatment in lieu of antidepressant medication for mild-to-moderate depression in countries such as Australia and New Zealand, but it has been slower to catch on in the United States. “Changing lifestyles can improve depression or augment medication treatment, so why are we reluctant to discuss movement with our patients?” Dr. Sugden said.