Investigating the Effect of Home-based Physical Activity Schedule on the Quality of Life, Sleep Quality, and Mood of the Elderly at Risk of Depression as Compared to the Control Group

BACKGROUND: This study aimed at investigating the effect of home-based physical activity schedule on the quality of life (QOL), sleep quality, and mood of the elderly at risk of depression as compared to the control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The open-label randomized controlled trial was performed on 61 elderly people at risk of depression who were divided into two groups. In addition to routine care provided by the health-care center (relaxation techniques), the elderly in the intervention group were given a home-based physical activity booklet. The control group only received the routine care of the health-care center. Moreover, before and after the intervention, the results of the QOL questionnaire, petersburg sleep quality questionnaire index (PSQI), and depression questionnaire were assessed and recorded. RESULTS: The depression scores in the 1(st) and 3(rd) months during the intervention and 1 month after the intervention were significantly lower in the intervention group with the means of 3.60 ± 3.91, 2.03 ± 2.43, and 2.66 ± 3.37 as compared with the control group with the means of 5.39 ± 2.88, 4.96 ± 2.77, and 5.13 ± 3.14, respectively (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the QOL and total PSQI scores in the physical and mental dimensions in the 3(rd) months during and 1 month after the intervention were higher in the intervention group as compared with the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: According to the findings of the study, the addition of home-based physical activity schedule to the routine care of the elderly can play a significant role in reducing the severity of their depression and improving their physical–psychological quality and sleep quality.