Effects of a six-month walking intervention on depression in inactive post-menopausal women: a randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether a six-month walking intervention could reduce depressive symptoms in inactive post-menopausal women without depression.
Results Summary
The walking intervention significantly decreased depression levels compared to the control group, with baseline cognitive-BDI subscore, subjective health status, body mass index, and adherence predicting post-intervention outcomes.
Population
Inactive post-menopausal women aged 57-75 years.
Effective Dosage
Three times a week, 40 minutes per session (moderate intensity).
Duration
Six months.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Physical activity | decrease | depressive symptoms | older subjects with depressive disorders | - | can reduce | #1 |
a walking intervention program | decrease | the occurrence of depressive symptoms | inactive post-menopausal women without depression | - | may decrease | #2 |
a six-month moderate intensity walking intervention (three times a week, 40 minutes per session, supervised and home-based) | decrease | depression | participants in the walking intervention | - | showed a significant decrease | #3 |
A six-month, three-session per week, moderate intensity walking intervention with a minimal 50% adherence rate | decrease | depression | post-menopausal women at risk for depression due to physical inactivity | - | reduces | #4 |
OBJECTIVES: Physical inactivity and advanced age are associated with risk of depressive disorders. Physical activity can reduce depressive symptoms in older subjects with depressive disorders. We investigated whether a walking intervention program may decrease the occurrence of depressive symptoms in inactive post-menopausal women without depression. METHOD: A total of 121 participants aged 57-75 years were randomly assigned to a six-month moderate intensity walking intervention (three times a week, 40 minutes per session, supervised and home-based) or to a control group (waiting list). Inactivity was assessed using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for the Elderly. Depression levels were measured pre- and post-intervention with the Beck depression inventory (BDI). Several baseline measures were considered as possible predictors of post-intervention BDI score. RESULTS: Participants in the walking intervention showed a significant decrease in depression as compared with controls. Baseline cognitive-BDI subscore, subjective health status, body mass index and adherence were post-intervention BDI score predictors. CONCLUSION: A six-month, three-session per week, moderate intensity walking intervention with a minimal 50% adherence rate reduces depression in post-menopausal women at risk for depression due to physical inactivity. This type of walking intervention could be considered as a widely accessible prevention strategy to prevent depressive symptoms in post-menopausal women at risk of depression.