Cmaj Podcasts

Send us a textOn this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Blair Bigham and Dr. Mojola Omole discuss the evidence supporting exercise as an effective treatment option for mild to moderate depression. They explore how exercise might be used effectively and the challenges involved in implementing it for patients.Dr. Nicholas Fabiano, a second-year psychiatry resident at the University of Ottawa, is co-author of the paper "Exercise as treatment for depression." He surveys the evidence showing that exercise can be as effective as antidepressants and psychotherapy for mild to moderate depression. He explains the FITT principle (frequency, intensity, type, and time) for prescribing exercise and stresses the need for setting realistic goals. Dr. Fabiano's article recommends physicians reference a practical guide for exercise for people who have depression, written by Dr. Michelle Fortier and colleagues.Dr. Fortier, a physical activity psychologist and professor at the University of Ottawa’s School of Huma