Effect of exercise on depression severity in older people: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Open accessAbstract
Background: The prevelance of depression in older people is high, treatment is inadequate, it creates a substantial burden and is a public health priority for which exercise has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy. Aims: To estimate the effect of exercise on depressive symptoms among older people, and assess whether treatment effect varies depending on the depression criteria used to determine participant eligibility. Method: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials of exercise for depression in older people. Results: Nine trials met the inclusion criteria and seven were meta-analysed. Exercise was associated with significantly lower depression severity (standardised mean difference (SMD) =–0.34, 95% CI –0.52 to –0.17), irrespective of whether participant eligibility was determined by clinical diagnosis (SMD =–0.38, 95% CI –0.67 to –0.10) or symptom checklist (SMD =–0.34, 95% CI –0.62 to –0.06). Results remained significant in sensitivity analyses. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that, for older people who present with clinically meaningful symptoms of depression, prescribing structured exercise tailored to individual ability will reduce depression severity.
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- Authors
- Bridle, C., Spanjers, K., Patel, S., Atherton, N. M., & Lamb, S. E.
- Affiliations
- University of Warwick (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Bridle, Christopher
- Venue
- British Journal of Psychiatry
- Publisher
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
- Published
- 2012-09
- Volume
- 201
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 180-185
- ISSN
- 0007-1250 (ISSN-L)
- 1472-1465
- OpenAlex
- W2140790148
- Semantic Scholar
- b18f4f9dcd04f2e490dc936cf7a95ef2eb822aca
- Cited by
- 425
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2026: 18 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 30 · 2023: 40 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 29 · 2019: 36 · 2018: 29 · 2017: 40 · 2016: 41 · 2015: 37 · 2014: 33 · 2013: 27 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 3.36
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- The British Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- BGRO - Business, Governance and Religious Organisations Repository (submittedVersion)
- Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Keywords
- physical activity, depression, older adults, depression severity, exercise therapy, eligibility criteria, diagnosis, symptom checklist, physical activity interventions
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Depressive Disorder, Exercise Therapy, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Bias, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
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