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 1st and 3rd 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 3rd 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.