Four hygienic-dietary recommendations as add-on treatment in depression: a randomized-controlled trial.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Modifying diet, exercise, sunlight exposure and sleep patterns may be useful in the treatment of depression. METHOD: Eighty nonseasonal depressive outpatients on anti-depressant treatment were randomly assigned either to the active or control group. Four hygienic-dietary recommendations were prescribed together. Outcome measures were blinded assessed before and after the six month intervention period. RESULTS: A better evolution of depressive symptoms, a higher rate of responder and remitters and a lesser psychopharmacological prescription was found in the active group. LIMITATIONS: Small sample size. Lacked homogeneity concerning affective disorders (major depression, dysthimia, bipolar depression). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests lifestyle recommendations can be used as an effective antidepressant complementary strategy in daily practice.