Low-Intensity Exercise as a Modifier of Depressive Symptoms and Self-Perceived Stress Level in Women with Metabolic Syndrome

The study aims to determine the impact of low-intensity exercise and psychoeducation on depressive symptoms and self-perceived stress in women with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Seventy-four women (mean age 69.35 ± 7.20) were included in the study. Participants were divided into two groups: those with MetS (n = 33) and those without MetS (n = 41). Subjects participated in low-intensity general-fitness exercise sessions combined with psychoeducation distributed regularly over a 12-week period. Participants completed the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS) and the Stress Level Questionnaire (SLQ) before and after the intervention. All investigated parameters significantly decreased for the participants with metabolic syndrome after the intervention. The level of GDS in this group decreased by approximately 37% (p < 0.01), and SLQ by around 23% (p < 0.01). Our results suggest, that low-intensity exercise combined with psychoeducation could lower depressive symptoms and stress level in women with MetS. However, the intervention does not lower anthropometric parameter scores.

Download Full-text

A neuropsychological group rehabilitation program with institutionalized elderly

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.588 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (S1) ◽

pp. s235-s235

Author(s):

L. Lemos ◽

H. Espírito-Santo ◽

S. Simões ◽

F. Silva ◽

J. Galhardo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Depressive Symptomatology ◽

Randomized Study ◽

Geriatric Depression Scale ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Rehabilitation Program ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Institutionalized Elderly ◽

Group Rehabilitation ◽

The Impact

IntroductionElderly institutionalization involves an emotional adaptation and the research shows that the risk of depression increases.ObjectivesEvaluate the impact of a neuropsychological group rehabilitation program (NGRP) on depressive symptomatology of institutionalized elderly.AimsNGRP influences the decrease of depressive symptoms.MethodsElderly were assessed pre- and post-intervention with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and divided into a Rehabilitated Group (RG), a Waiting List Group (WLG), and a Neutral Task Group (NTG).ResultsIn this randomized study, before rehabilitation, 60 elderly people (RG; 80.31 ± 8.98 years of age; 74.2% women) had a mean GDS score of 13.33 (SD = 9.21). Five elderly included in the NTG (80.13 ± 10.84 years; 75.0% women) had a mean GDS score of 10.60 (SD = 4.72). Finally, 29 elderly in the WLG (81.32 ± 6.68 years; 69.0% women) had a mean GDS score of 14.93 (SD = 6.02). The groups were not different in GDS baseline scores (F = 0.74; P = 0.478). ANCOVA has shown significant differences (P < 0.05) in GDS scores between the three groups after 10 weeks. Sidak adjustment for multiple comparisons revealed that elderly in the WLG got worse scores in GDS, comparing with elderly in RG (P < 0.01), and with elderly in NTG (P < 0.05).ConclusionsElderly that are not involved in a task get worse in depressive symptomatology. Being involved in a structured group task means lower depressive symptoms and being in a NGRP means even greater results.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Download Full-text

Changes in severity of depressive symptoms and mortality: the Italian Longitudinal Study on Aging

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291712000645 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 42 (12) ◽

pp. 2619-2629 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

E. Scafato ◽

L. Galluzzo ◽

S. Ghirini ◽

C. Gandin ◽

A. Rossi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Proportional Hazards ◽

Geriatric Depression Scale ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Late Life ◽

Population Based ◽

Cox Proportional Hazards ◽

Late Life Depression ◽

Longitudinal Changes ◽

The Impact

BackgroundDepression is recognized as being associated with increased mortality. However, there has been little previous research on the impact of longitudinal changes in late-life depressive symptoms on mortality, and of their remission in particular.MethodAs part of a prospective, population-based study on a random sample of 5632 subjects aged 65–84 years, with a 10-year follow-up of vital status, depressive symptoms were assessed by the 30-item Italian version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). The number of participants in the GDS measurements was 3214 at baseline and 2070 at the second survey, 3 years later. Longitudinal changes in depressive symptoms (stable, remitted, worsened) were examined in participants in both evaluations (n=1941). Mortality hazard ratios (MHRs) according to severity of symptoms and their changes over time were obtained by means of Cox proportional hazards regression models, adjusting for age and other potentially confounding factors.ResultsSeverity is significantly associated with excess mortality in both genders. Compared to the stability of depressive symptoms, a worsened condition shows a higher 7-year mortality risk [MHR 1.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15–1.84], whereas remission reduces by about 40% the risk of mortality in both genders (women MHR 0.55, 95% CI 0.32–0.95; men MHR 0.59, 95% CI 0.37–0.93). Neither sociodemographic nor medical confounders significantly modified these associations.ConclusionsConsistent with previous reports, the severity and persistence of depression are associated with higher mortality risks. Our findings extend the magnitude of the association demonstrating that remission of symptoms is related to a significant reduction in mortality, highlighting the need to enhance case-finding and successful treatment of late-life depression.

Download Full-text

Perceived stress in elderly stroke survivors after hospital discharge to home

Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP ◽

10.1590/s0080-623420150000500013 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 49 (5) ◽

pp. 797-803 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Emanuella Barros dos Santos ◽

Rosalina Aparecida Partezani Rodrigues ◽

Sueli Marques ◽

Octávio Marques Pontes-Neto

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Hospital Discharge ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Geriatric Depression Scale ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Functional Independence Measure ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Stroke Survivors ◽

The Relationship

AbstractOBJECTIVETo evaluate the relationship between perceived stress and comorbidities, neurological deficit, functional independence and depressive symptoms of stroke survivors after hospital discharge.METHODCross-sectional study with 90 elderly stroke survivors. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale instrument, the Functional Independence Measure instrument, the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale were used. Bivariate Pearson correlation, independent t test and multiple regression analysis were used to evaluate the relationship between perceived stress and other variables.RESULTSThe final regression model showed that higher perceived stress was related to less functional independence (p= 0.022) and more depressive symptoms (p <0.001).CONCLUSIONAt hospital discharge, interventions should be planned for the treatment of depressive symptoms and to create adaptation strategies to the reduction of functional independence, in order to reduce the stress of the survivors.

Download Full-text

Evaluation of the online-based self-help programme “Selfapy” in patients with unipolar depression: study protocol for a randomized, blinded parallel group dismantling study

Trials ◽

10.1186/s13063-021-05218-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Rico Krämer ◽

Stephan Köhler

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Drop Out ◽

Control Group ◽

Hamilton Depression Scale ◽

Online Interventions ◽

Phone Calls ◽

Self Help ◽

Low Threshold ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Patients with mild to moderate depressive symptoms can have limited access to regular treatment; to ensure appropriate care, low-threshold treatment is needed. Effective online interventions could increase the supply of low-threshold treatment. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of online interventions. This study aims to evaluate the online-based self-help programme “Selfapy” on a sample of depressive subjects and compares the impact of the programme’s unaccompanied version with its therapeutic accompanied version. Methods A sample of 400 subjects that have a mild to severe depressive episode (Becks Depression Inventory - II and Hamilton Depression Scale) will be used. Subjects are randomly assigned to immediate access to an unaccompanied course (no support from psychologist via weekly phone calls), immediate access to an accompanied course (support from a psychologist via weekly phone calls) or a waiting list control group (access to the intervention after 24 weeks). The intervention will last for a period of 12 weeks. Depressive symptoms as a primary parameter, as well as various secondary parameters, such as life satisfaction, therapeutic relationships, social activation, self-esteem, attitudes towards Internet interventions and drop-out rates, are recorded at four different points in time: at baseline (T1), 6 weeks after the start of the intervention (T2), 12 weeks after the start of the intervention (T3) and 3 months after completion of the treatment follow-up (T4). Conclusion This randomized and controlled, blinded study will make use of a “dismantled” approach to adequately compare the accompanied and unaccompanied versions of the intervention. Positive and meaningful results are expected that could influence the acceptance and implementation of online interventions. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00017191. Registered on 14 June 2019

Download Full-text

The Impact of Work Hours on Depressive Symptoms among Koreans Aged 45 and Over

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18030853 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 853

Author(s):

Juyeong Kim ◽

Eun-Cheol Park

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Social Services ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Work Hours ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Health Studies ◽

Males And Females ◽

The Impact

Background: Given the documented importance of employment for middle-aged and older adults’ mental health, studies of the association between their number of work hours and depressive symptoms are needed. Objectives: To examine the association between the number of work hours and depressive symptoms in Korean aged 45 and over. Methods: We used data from the first wave to fourth wave of the Korea Longitudinal Study of Aging. Using the first wave at baseline, data included 9845 individuals. Depressive symptoms were measured using the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale. We performed a longitudinal analysis to estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms by work hours. Results: Both unemployed males and females aged 45–65 years were associated with higher depressive symptoms (β = 0.59, p < 0.001; β = 0.32, p < 0.001). Females working ≥ 69 h were associated with higher depressive symptoms compared to those working 41–68 h (β = 0.25, p = 0.013). Among those both middle-aged and older adults, both males and females unemployed were associated with higher depressive symptoms. Those middle-aged female working ≥69 h were associated with higher depressive symptoms. Conclusions: An increase in depressive symptoms was associated with unemployed males and females working ≥69 h compared to those working 41–68 h. Although this association was found among middle-aged individuals, a decrease in depressive symptoms in both sexes was associated with working 1–40 h. Depressive symptoms should decrease by implementing employment policies and social services to encourage employers to support middle-aged and older adults in the workforce considering their sex and age differences.

Download Full-text

Family Physicians’ Standpoint and Mental Health Assessment in the Light of COVID-19 Pandemic—A Nationwide Survey Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18042093 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 2093

Author(s):

Tina Vilovic ◽

Josko Bozic ◽

Marino Vilovic ◽

Doris Rusic ◽

Sanja Zuzic Furlan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Family Physicians ◽

Knowledge Score ◽

Well Being ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Event Scale ◽

The Impact

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, family physicians (FPs) are the backbone of the healthcare system with considerable impact on the general population, and their well-being is of great importance. The aim of this investigation was to assess FPs mental health, as well as knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) regarding the pandemic, and opinions on non-communicable disease (NCD) health care provided to patients. A cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 613 FPs. Anxiety and depression levels were estimated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, subjective perceived stress with the Perceived Stress Scale, while trauma-related symptoms were assessed using the Impact on Event Scale-COVID19. KAPs toward the pandemic and opinions regarding NCD patients were evaluated with questionnaires accordingly. Results have shown that age (β = −0.02, p = 0.013) and personal risk of COVID‑19 (β = 1.05, p < 0.001) were significant independent correlates of the knowledge score. A total of 87.7% FPs expressed moderate/high perceived stress, 45.2% moderate/severe trauma-related symptoms, 60.4% borderline/abnormal anxiety levels, and 52.4% borderline/abnormal depression levels. Knowledge score was an independent predictor of perceived stress (β = −0.33, p = 0.023) and anxiety (β = −0.31, p = 0.006) levels. Limited accessibility to healthcare services and decreased number of newly-diagnosed NCD cases were mostly agreed on. The pandemic puts a considerable strain on FPs mental health, as well as on public health measures, due to the decreased overall quality of NCD patient health care. Educational programs may bridge the gaps between FPs’ knowledge. Thus lowering anxiety and improving patient care.

Download Full-text

Watching sports and depressive symptoms among older adults: a cross-sectional study from the JAGES 2019 survey

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-89994-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Taishi Tsuji ◽

Satoru Kanamori ◽

Ryota Watanabe ◽

Meiko Yokoyama ◽

Yasuhiro Miyaguni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Geriatric Depression Scale ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Mail Survey ◽

Prevalence Ratio ◽

Average Frequency ◽

Evaluation Study ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

AbstractThe current study investigated the relationship between the frequency of watching sports and depressive symptoms among older adults. This study used cross-sectional data from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study, a nationwide mail survey of 21,317 older adults. Depressive symptoms were defined as a Geriatric Depression Scale score of ≥ 5. Participants were queried regarding the average frequency at which they watched sports on-site and via TV/Internet over the past year. Among the 21,317 participants, 4559 (21.4%) had depressive symptoms, while 4808 (22.6%) and 16,576 (77.8%) watched sports on-site and via TV/Internet at least once a year, respectively. Older adults who watched sports on-site a few times/year (prevalence ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval, 0.65–0.74) or 1–3 times/month (0.66, 0.53–0.82) were less likely to have depressive symptoms compared to non-spectators after adjusting for frequency of playing sports, exercise activities, and other potential confounders. Meanwhile, a dose–response relationship was confirmed for watching via TV/Internet (prevalence ratio of 0.86, 0.79, and 0.71 for a few times/year, 1–3 times/month, and ≥ 1 time/week, respectively). This study suggested that watching sports on-site or via TV/Internet, regardless of whether they regularly engage in sports, may reduce the risk of depressive symptoms among older adults.

Download Full-text

The impact of cataract surgery on depressive symptoms for bilateral cataract patients in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610213001907 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 307-313 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Kien Gia To ◽

Lynn B. Meuleners ◽

Michelle L. Fraser ◽

Dat Van Duong ◽

Dung Van Do ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Visual Acuity ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Cataract Surgery ◽

Contrast Sensitivity ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Ho Chi Minh City ◽

Bilateral Cataract ◽

Vietnamese Population ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACTBackground:Depression is common among older populations with cataract. However, the impact of cataract surgery on depression in both developed and developing countries remains unclear. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of cataract surgery on depressive symptoms and to examine the association between objective visual measures and change in depressive symptoms after surgery among a Vietnamese population in Ho Chi Minh City.Methods:A cohort of older patients with bilateral cataract were assessed the week before and one to three months after first eye surgery only or first- and second-eye cataract surgeries. Visual measures including visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and stereopsis were obtained. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 20-item Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D). Descriptive analyses and a generalized estimating equations (GEE) analysis were undertaken to determine the impact of cataract surgery on depressive symptoms.Results:Four hundred and thirteen participants were recruited into the study before cataract surgery. Two hundred and forty-seven completed the follow-up assessment after surgery. There was a significant decrease (improvement) of one point in the depressive symptoms score (p = 0.04) after cataract surgery, after accounting for potential confounding factors. In addition, females reported a significantly greater decrease (improvement) of two points in depressive symptom scores (p = 0.01), compared to males. However, contrast sensitivity, visual acuity, and stereopsis were not significantly associated with change in depressive symptoms scores. First-eye cataract surgery or both-eye cataract surgery did not modify the change in depressive symptoms score.Conclusion:There was a small but significant improvement in depressive symptoms score after cataract surgery for an older population in Vietnam.

Download Full-text

Assessing the Impact of a Hilly Environment on Depressive Symptoms among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18094520 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (9) ◽

pp. 4520

Author(s):

Takafumi Abe ◽

Kenta Okuyama ◽

Tsuyoshi Hamano ◽

Miwako Takeda ◽

Masayuki Yamasaki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Rural Setting ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Impact ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Although some neighborhood environmental factors have been found to affect depressive symptoms, few studies have focused on the impact of living in a hilly environment, i.e., land slope, on depressive symptoms among rural older adults. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate whether a land slope is associated with depressive symptoms among older adults living in rural areas. Data were collected from 935 participants, aged 65 years and older, who lived in Shimane prefecture, Japan. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and defined on the basis of an SDS score ≥ 40. Land slopes within a 400 m network buffer were assessed using geographic information systems. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of depressive symptoms were estimated using logistic regression. A total of 215 (23.0%) participants reported depressive symptoms. The land slope was positively associated with depressive symptoms (OR = 1.04; 95% CI = 1.01–1.08) after adjusting for all confounders. In a rural setting, living in a hillier environment was associated with depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults in Japan.

Download Full-text

Physical activity and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling elders from southern Brazil

Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1590/s1516-44462011005000006 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 165-170 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

César L. Reichert ◽

César L. Diogo ◽

José L. Vieira ◽

Roberta R. Dalacorte

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Linear Trend ◽

Geriatric Depression Scale ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Population Based ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Active Group ◽

Lower Prevalence ◽

Cross Sectional

OBJECTIVE: To determine the existence of a relationship between physical activity and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling elders. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional, population-based study, which included 379 community-dwelling elders from Novo Hamburgo, state of RS, Brazil. The level of physical activity was estimated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and depressive symptoms were diagnosed according to the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale. The association between the level of physical activity and depressive symptoms was analyzed by logistic regression. RESULTS: A tendency towards a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms was observed in individuals with higher levels of physical activity, both in the sample as a whole as well as among men, but not among women (p for linear trend 0.04, 0.03 and 0.36, respectively). The odds ratio of the presence of depressive symptoms in the very active group, as compared against that of the insufficiently active group was 0.32 (95% CI: 0.12-0.86) for men and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.39-1.46) for women. CONCLUSION: In this population of aged individuals, more intense physical activity is related to a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms. As shown by gender stratification, physical activity is inversely related to depressive symptoms in men, albeit not in women.

Download Full-text