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.