OBJECTIVES: We assessed the effects of different exercise modalities and doses on depression levels in older adults.
METHODS: Systematic searches of the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Scopus databases were conducted from the start of database construction until December 2023. Studies were included if they were randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of exercise interventions in older adults. Pairwise, network and dose-network meta-analyses were conducted using random-effects models for the outcome of depression in older adults.
RESULTS: A total of 80 RCTs with 5536 participants were included in this study. Network meta-analyses showed that resistance exercise [standardized mean difference (SMD) = - 0.68, 95% confidence interval (CI): - 0.90, - 0.46] and mind-body exercise (MBE; SMD = - 0.54, 95% CI: - 0.72, - 0.37) were the most effective forms of exercise for improving depression in older adults, followed by aerobic exercise (SMD = - 0.31, 95% CI: - 0.50, - 0.13) and mixed exercise (SMD = - 0.23, 95% CI: - 44, - 0.01). In addition, a U-shaped dose-response relationship was found between overall exercise dose and depression levels in older adults, and a significant response was seen after 390 metabolic equivalent (MET)-min/week.
CONCLUSIONS: Our study determined the effectiveness of different exercises in improving levels of older adults and found that resistance exercise and MBE were more effective adjunctive treatments. By providing the most effective treatments, older adults can reap the benefits of improving depression in older adults at doses lower than the World Health Organization guidelines.
| Discipline Area | Score |
|---|---|
| Geriatrics |  |
| Public Health |  |
| General Internal Medicine-Primary Care(US) | |
| Family Medicine (FM)/General Practice (GP) | |
| FM/GP/Mental Health |  |
| Psychiatry | |
Very interesting review! I found the greater impact of strength training over aerobic exercise surprising. The U-shaped dose response effect (albeit with very wide confidence intervals and not a great fit) was also not what I expected. Primary care practitioners should include this information when recommending physical activity as an effective intervention to combat depression in older adults.
Depression is common in the elderly and medications for depression are effective in their management; however, medications have side effects. This meta-analysis showed that various forms of exercise can help treat depression in the elderly and reduce the antidepressant dose. All kinds of exercise were helpful, although mind-body and resistance exercises were more effective adjunctive treatments.