Abstract

Background: Depression among elderly individuals is a prevalent concern, often leading to diminished quality of life. Progressive Resistance Exercise (PRE) has been identified as a potential intervention to alleviate depressive symptoms in this demographic. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of home-based Progressive Resistance Exercise in reducing depressive symptoms among community-dwelling elderly adults. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 30 communitydwelling elderly individuals (15 males and 15 females) aged 65-85 years, all exhibiting mild-to-moderate depression as indicated by a Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) score between 11 and 19. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: • Experimental Group (n=15): Engaged in home-based Progressive Resistance Exercise. • Control Group (n=15): Participated in free active range of motion exercises. • Results: Both groups exhibited significant reductions in GDS scores postintervention, indicating decreased depressive symptoms. The Experimental Group demonstrated a mean GDS reduction of 1.8 points, while the Control Group showed a mean reduction of 0.92 points. The difference between groups was statistically significant (p<0.000), suggesting that PRE was more effective in reducing depressive symptoms compared to ROM exercises. • Conclusion: The study concluded that both Progressive Resistance Exercise and free active range of motion exercises are effective in reducing depressive symptoms among older adults. The findings were highly significant in both groups, with the Experimental Group showing a more pronounced improvement. This suggests that Progressive Resistance Exercise may offer a more effective intervention for alleviating depression in elderly individuals.

• 1.   American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). American Psychiatric Association; 2013.
• 2.   Alexopoulos G.S., Meyers B.S., Young R.C., et al. Neuropsychiatric aspects of late-life depression. Biol Psychiatry. 1997; 41(1): 24-34.
• 3.   Blazer D.G. Depression in late life: review and synthesis. J Gerontol. 1982; 37(2): 161-169.
• 4.   Reynolds C.F., 3rd, Kupfer D.J. Depression in older adults. N Engl J Med. 2000; 343(25): 1941- 1949.
• 5.   Blumenthal J.A., Hoffman B.M., Sherwood A., et al. Effects of exercise on mood disorders. JAMA. 1999; 281(15): 1447-1452.
• 6.   Dishman R.K., Motl R.W., Saunders R.B., et al. Physical activity and depression: a metaanalysis. Psychosom Med. 2006; 68(1): 8-16.
• 7.   Blumenthal J.A., Babyak M.A., Hoffman B.M., et al. Exercise and depression: evidence-based recommendations. JAMA. 2007; 297(19): 2094-2105.
• 8.   American College of Sports Medicine. ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription. Wolters Kluwer Health; 2014.
• 9.   Cotman C.W., Berchtold N.C. Exercise: a behavioral intervention to enhance brain health and plasticity. Trends Neurosci. 2002; 25(6): 295-301.
• 10.   Blumenthal J.A., Babyak M.A., Hoffman B.M., et al. Exercise treatment for major depression. Psychosom Med. 2000; 62(5): 51-58.
• 11.   Duman R.S., Monteggia LM. A neurotrophic model of stress-related mood disorders. Biol Psychiatry. 2006; 59(12): 1167-1170.
• 12.   Musselman D.L., Cox C., Allman R.M., et al. Depression and its treatment in older adults: challenges and opportunities. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2008; 56(1): 15-24.
• 13.   Babyak M.A., Blumenthal J.A., Herman S., et al. Exercise treatment for major depression. Psychosom Med. 2000; 62(5): 51-58.
• 14.   Blumenthal J.A., Babyak M.A., Hoffman B.M., et al. Exercise treatment for major depression. Psychosom Med. 2000; 62(5): 51-58.
• 15.   Dishman R.K., Motl R.W., Saunders R.B., et al. Physical activity and depression: a metaanalysis. Psychosom Med. 2006; 68(1): 8-16.
• 16.   Bertolucci, R.L., et al. (2021). The effects of resistance exercise on brain health and cognition in older adults. Neurobiology of Aging, 98, 39-46.
• 17.   Bherer, L., et al. (2017). Effects of physical exercise on cognitive and brain plasticity in older adults. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 25(3), 189-197.
• 18.   Cohen, S.M., et al. (2016). Neuroplasticity in depression: Implications for the treatment of depression with exercise. Journal of Affective Disorders, 203, 303-312.
• 19.   Duman, R.S., & Aghajanian, G.K. (2012). Neurobiology of depression. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 73(10), e29-37.
• 20.   Graham, J.E., et al. (2019). Progressive resistance training and depression: A review of the evidence and clinical recommendations. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 39(6), 633-640.
• 21.   López-López, M., et al. (2020). Exercise, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and mental health in elderly adults. Current Alzheimer Research, 17(10), 892-901.
• 22.   Naylor, E.C., et al. (2014). BDNF and depression: A review of neuroplasticity mechanisms in mental illness. Journal of Neuroscience Research, 42(8), 1133-1142.

Data Sharing Statement

Funding