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For the many individuals with depressive disorders that do not respond to medication or psychotherapy, changes in exercise, light, sleep hygiene, and diet have all received support as adjunctive interventions. These researchers examined the effects of specific written recommendations for such lifestyle modifications in a randomized, controlled study.
The 80 outpatients (age, ≥18) had major depression, dysthymic disorder, or bipolar depression; were taking antidepressants; and did not have psychotic symptoms or significant risk for suicide. Baseline depression scores averaged in the moderate range. The active intervention consisted of specific written recommendations regarding sleep hygiene, walking at least 1 hour daily, 2 hours daily of sun…