A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL OF PROGRESSIVE RESISTANCE TRAINING IN DEPRESSED ELDERS

Background. Depression in elderly people may be contributed to by the multiple losses of aging. Exercise has the potential to positively imp act many of these losses simultaneously. We tested the hypothesis that progressive resistance training (PRT) would reduce depression while i mproving physiologic capacity, quality of life, morale, function and s elf-efficacy without adverse events in an older, significantly depress ed population. Methods. We conducted a 10-week randomized controlled t rial of volunteers aged 60 and above with major or minor depression or dysthymia. Subjects were randomized for 10 weeks to either a supervis ed PRT program three times a week or an attention-control group. Resul ts, A total of 32 subjects aged 60-84, mean age 71.3 +/- 1.2 yr, were randomized and completed the study. No significant adverse events occu rred. Median compliance was 95%. PRT significantly reduced all depress ion measures (Beck Depression Inventory in exercisers 21.3 +/- 1.8 to 9.8 +/- 2.3 versus controls 18.4 +/- 1.7 to 13.8 +/- 2, p = .002: Hami lton Rating Scale of Depression in exercisers 12.3 +/- 0.9 to 5.3 +/- 1.3 versus controls 11.4 +/- 1.0 to 8.9 +/- 1.3, p = .008). Quality of life subscales of bodily pain (I, = .001), vitality (p = .002), socia l functioning (p = .008). and role emotional (p = .02) were all signif icantly improved by exercise compared to controls. Strength increased a mean of 33% +/- 4% in exercisers and decreased 2% +/- 2% in controls (p < .0001). In a multiple stepwise regression model, intensity of tr aining was a significant independent predictor of decrease in depressi on scores (r(2) = .617, p = .0002). Conclusions. PRT is an effective a ntidepressant in depressed elders, while also improving strength, mora le, and quality of life.