Effect of exercise on depression severity in older people: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Background The prevelance of depression in older people is high, treatment is inadequate, it creates a substantial burden and is a public health priority for which exercise has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy. Aims To estimate the effect of exercise on depressive symptoms among older people, and assess whether treatment effect varies depending on the depression criteria used to determine participant eligibility. Method Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials of exercise for depression in older people. Results Nine trials met the inclusion criteria and seven were meta-analysed. Exercise was associated with significantly lower depression severity (standardised mean difference (SMD) =–0.34, 95% CI –0.52 to –0.17), irrespective of whether participant eligibility was determined by clinical diagnosis (SMD =–0.38, 95% CI –0.67 to –0.10) or symptom checklist (SMD =–0.34, 95% CI –0.62 to –0.06). Results remained significant in sensitivity analyses. Conclusions Our findings suggest that, for older people who present with clinically meaningful symptoms of depression, prescribing structured exercise tailored to individual ability will reduce depression severity.