title: DeLLITE depression in late life: an intervention trial of exercise. Design and recruitment of a randomised controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Physical activity shows potential in combating the poor outcomes associated with depression in older people. Meta-analyses show gaps in the research with poor trial design compromising certainty in conclusions and few programmes showing sustained effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Depression in Late Life: an Intervention Trial of Exercise (DeLLITE) is a 12 month randomised controlled trial of a physical activity intervention to increase functional status in people aged 75 years and older with depressive symptoms. The intervention involves an individualised activity programme based on goal setting and progression of difficulty of activities delivered by a trained nurse during 8 home visits over 6 months. The control group received time matched home visits to discuss social contacts and networks. Baseline, 6 and 12 months measures were assessed in face to face visits with the primary outcome being functional status (SPPB, NEADL). Secondary outcomes include depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale), quality of life (SF-36), physical activity (AHS Physical Activity Questionnaire) and falls (self report).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Due to report in 2008 the DeLLITE study has recruited 70% of those eligible and tests the efficacy of a home based, goal setting physical activity programme in improving function, mood and quality of life in older people with depressive symptomatology. If successful in improving function and mood this trial could prove for the first time that there are long term health benefit of physical activity, independent of social activity, in this high risk group who consume excess health related costs.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register ACTRN12605000475640.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. n.kerse@auckland.ac.nz
authors.forename: Ngaire
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kerse
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Falloon
authors.forename: Simon A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Moyes
authors.forename: Karen J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Hayman
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dowell
authors.forename: Gregory S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Kolt
authors.forename: C Raina
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Elley
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hatcher
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Peri
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Keeling
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Parsons
authors.forename: Janine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wiles
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Arroll
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012107:Research Design