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Exercise for depression in care home residents: a randomised controlled trial with cost-effectiveness analysis
M Underwood1, S E Lamb, S Eldridge
1Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.
Summary
A whole-home exercise program did not significantly reduce depression in care home residents. The intervention, including staff training and exercise classes, showed no benefits over usual care for depressive symptoms or quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Public Health Interventions
Background:
- Depression is prevalent among older adults in care homes.
- Exercise presents a potential non-pharmacological treatment for depression in this demographic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of a comprehensive 'whole-home' exercise intervention on depressive symptoms in care home residents.
- To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of this intervention compared to standard care.
Main Methods:
- A cluster randomized controlled trial involving 78 care homes and 1054 residents aged 65 and older.
- Intervention: Staff training plus twice-weekly physiotherapist-led exercise classes.
- Control: Depression awareness training for staff.
Main Results:
- No significant reduction in depressive symptoms was observed in the intervention group compared to the control group across cross-sectional and cohort analyses.
- The intervention did not demonstrate improvements in quality-adjusted life-years or reduce fracture rates or mortality.
- The intervention was not cost-effective, being more expensive and less effective than the control.
Conclusions:
- A whole-home physical activity and moderate-intensity exercise program is not supported as an effective method for reducing depression in care home residents.
- Further research may be needed to explore alternative or modified exercise interventions for this population.
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