title: Leisure activities alleviate depressive symptoms in nursing home residents with very mild or mild dementia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  : To examine whether leisure activities can alleviate depressive symptoms among nursing home residents with very mild to mild dementia.
  
  
  METHODS
  : A cluster-randomized open-label controlled design. Thirty-six residents with at least moderate depressive symptoms were randomized by home into three conditions-mahjong (a.k.a. mah-jongg), tai chi, and handicrafts (placebo). Activities were conducted three times weekly for 12 weeks. Outcome measure was Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) administered at baseline, posttreatment, and at 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  : Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed a group by time interaction on the GDS. Unlike control and tai chi participants whose scores remained relatively unchanged, the mahjong group reported a drop of 3.25 points (95% confidence interval: 1.00-5.50) on the GDS at posttreatment but gained back 2.83 points (95% confidence interval: 1.95-5.47) at 6 months. Activity discontinuation might be the reason for depression to return to baseline.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  : Mahjong can lower depressive symptoms in those with mild dementia, but activity maintenance may be essential for long-term effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Studies, Hong Kong Institute of Education, Kwai Chung Hospital, Hong Kong. takcheng@ied.edu.hk
authors.forename: Sheung-Tak
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Pizza K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: Edwin C S
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Alfred C M
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010988:Play and Playthings / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D026302:Tai Ji / Q000523:psychology