Social activities lower depression in elderly

LONDON: Older adults suffering with dementia who indulged in a high-intensity functional exercise programme and group activity showed reduced levels of depressive symptoms, a new study has found.



"Unfortunately, depression is common among older people, especially in people with dementia," said author Gustaf Bostrom, doctoral student at the Umea University's Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation in Sweden.

The team investigated whether 45 minutes of high-intensity exercise, every other weekday for four months, had a better effect on depressive symptoms than a seated group activity, performed with the same duration and frequency, in older people with dementia.



The findings showed reduction in high levels of depressive symptoms in both groups.

But, exercise showed no superior effect on depression.