Exercise for geriatric psychiatry outpatients: Results from a clinic intervention

Abstract

Background: Exercise is a non-pharmacological intervention that may benefit elderly patients with depression, but the effects of an exercise intervention in geriatric psychiatry outpatients have yet to be tested.

Method: Outpatients in a geriatric psychiatry clinic participated in a structured exercise intervention of 50 minutes, twice-weekly, over twelve weeks. Depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline and post-intervention using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).

Results: Nine participants had baseline and post-intervention PHQ-9 scores. Mean scores were 5.9 and 2.8 at baseline and post-intervention, respectively (p = 0.03).

Conclusions: Exercise intervention for geriatric psychiatry outpatients may improve depressive symptoms. Evidence from controlled interventions is warranted.

Keywords: cohort studies; depressive disorder; exercise; geriatric psychiatry; outpatients.