Neslihan Lok1, Sefa Lok2, Muammer Canbaz3. 1. Department of Psychiatric Nursing, Selçuk University Faculty of Health Sciences, Konya, Turkey. Electronic address: neslihanlok@selcuk.edu.tr. 2. Departmant of Coacing, Selçuk University Faculty of Sport Sciences, Turkey. 3. Departmant of Physical Education and Sports, Selçuklu Anatolian School, Turkey.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:Physical activity may have positive effects on decreasing anxiety, stress and depression, maintaining mental health and ensuring psychological vitality.This study aimed to determine how a "Physical Activity Program" for elderly people in nursing homes affected their depressive symptoms and quality of life. METHODS: We included 80 individuals aged >65years (40 in the intervention group, 40 controls) in this experimental, randomized, controlled pretest-posttest study. Besides socio-demographic data, depressive symptoms and quality of life were assessed by standardized procedures (Beck Depression Scale [BDI], SF 36 Quality of Life Questionnaire) before and after a ten-weeks lasting "Physical Activity Program", consisting of 10min warm-up activities, 20 mintes rhythmic exercices, 10min cool-down exercises and a 30 mintes free walking period on four days of the week. RESULTS: In contast to controls, individuals of the intervention group presented with a significant decrease in the BDI after the "Physical Activity Program". Likewise, eight-subscales and two sub-dimensions of the SF 36 Quality of Life Questionnaire significantly improved only in the experimental group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that a structured physical activity program positively impacts depressive symptoms and quality of life in elderly individuals.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVES: Physical activity may have positive effects on decreasing anxiety, stress and depression, maintaining mental health and ensuring psychological vitality.This study aimed to determine how a "Physical Activity Program" for elderly people in nursing homes affected their depressive symptoms and quality of life. METHODS: We included 80 individuals aged >65years (40 in the intervention group, 40 controls) in this experimental, randomized, controlled pretest-posttest study. Besides socio-demographic data, depressive symptoms and quality of life were assessed by standardized procedures (Beck Depression Scale [BDI], SF 36 Quality of Life Questionnaire) before and after a ten-weeks lasting "Physical Activity Program", consisting of 10min warm-up activities, 20 mintes rhythmic exercices, 10min cool-down exercises and a 30 mintes free walking period on four days of the week. RESULTS: In contast to controls, individuals of the intervention group presented with a significant decrease in the BDI after the "Physical Activity Program". Likewise, eight-subscales and two sub-dimensions of the SF 36 Quality of Life Questionnaire significantly improved only in the experimental group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that a structured physical activity program positively impacts depressive symptoms and quality of life in elderly individuals.
Authors: Pedro Jesús Ruiz-Montero; Laura Rubio; Cristina G Dumitrache; Óscar Chiva-Bartoll Journal: Biomed Res Int Date: 2021-02-24 Impact factor: 3.411