Evidence-based guideline for increasing physical activity among Chinese older adults with depressive symptoms

Abstract

Depression has become a medical condition that affects more and more of the aged Hong Kong population, yet this condition is often overlooked. Depression is a treatable condition. Nevertheless, the current practice in Hong Kong relies heavily on medication and cognitive-behavioural therapy. The effectiveness of these two types of therapy is limited by the side-effects of the medications and the accessibility to medical facilities for cognitive-behavioural therapy.

Physical activity is suggested by many studies to be effective in managing depressive symptoms in the population. Physical exercise is a relatively economic and convenient activity that can be self-administered for health. Some studies have suggested that physical activity is effective for managing depression, yet the number of theses on this topic for the aged population is limited.

In this thesis, studies related to the effectiveness of physical activity on depressive symptoms alleviation among older adults were reviewed and critically appraised. The potential to apply the findings of these studies to the aged Chinese population in Hong Kong is discussed and presented.

Studies were searched using the databases Pubmed and CINAHL, and a total of 15 relevant studies were found.

The 15 studies were analyzed and listed as tables of evidence and appraised with the SIGN checklist for their quality. The results of these studies and the quality of the papers were summarized.

Regarding the physical activity types examined in these studies, aerobic exercise involving controlled-breathing or deep-breathing (e.g. TaiChi) and activities to promote posture including flexibility and balance (e.g. Yoga) were found to be effective for alleviating depressive symptoms among the aged population.

The feasibility and transferability of the desired intervention to the target population and setting were discussed. An evidence-based guideline with 8 recommendations was also developed.

Finally, a plan for communication with different parties (e.g., administrators, users and staff) to administer the intervention was devised. A pilot test was also planned, with and evaluation plan for the pilot test to allow for adjustments to the intervention. This thesis discussed an alternative to treatment of depressive symptoms among the aged population. With the practice of physical activity effective in managing depressive symptoms in this population, it gave rise to the possibility that to promote the innovation to all of this population.