title: The effect of physical activity on depressive symptoms and quality of life among elderly nursing home residents: Randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Physical activity may have positive effects on decreasing anxiety, stress and depression, maintaining mental health and ensuring psychological vitality.This study aimed to determine how a "Physical Activity Program" for elderly people in nursing homes affected their depressive symptoms and quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included 80 individuals aged >65years (40 in the intervention group, 40 controls) in this experimental, randomized, controlled pretest-posttest study. Besides socio-demographic data, depressive symptoms and quality of life were assessed by standardized procedures (Beck Depression Scale [BDI], SF 36 Quality of Life Questionnaire) before and after a ten-weeks lasting "Physical Activity Program", consisting of 10min warm-up activities, 20 mintes rhythmic exercices, 10min cool-down exercises and a 30 mintes free walking period on four days of the week.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In contast to controls, individuals of the intervention group presented with a significant decrease in the BDI after the "Physical Activity Program". Likewise, eight-subscales and two sub-dimensions of the SF 36 Quality of Life Questionnaire significantly improved only in the experimental group (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that a structured physical activity program positively impacts depressive symptoms and quality of life in elderly individuals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatric Nursing, Selçuk University Faculty of Health Sciences, Konya, Turkey. Electronic address: neslihanlok@selcuk.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Neslihan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lok
authors.affiliation: Departmant of Coacing, Selçuk University Faculty of Sport Sciences, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sefa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lok
authors.affiliation: Departmant of Physical Education and Sports, Selçuklu Anatolian School, Turkey.
authors.forename: Muammer
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Canbaz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D016037:Single-Blind Method
keywords: Depression; Elderly; Physical activity; Quality of life