Title
Leisure activities alleviate depressive symptoms in nursing home residents with very mild or mild dementia
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
Publication Date
10-1-2012
Volume
20
Issue
10
First Page
904
Last Page
908
Keywords
cluster-randomized controlled trial, Depression, leisure activities, mahjong, tai chi
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To examine whether leisure activities can alleviate depressive symptoms among nursing home residents with very mild to mild dementia.
METHODS: A cluster-randomized open-label controlled design. Thirty-six residents with at least moderate depressive symptoms were randomized by home into three conditions-mahjong (a.k.a. mah-jongg), tai chi, and handicrafts (placebo). Activities were conducted three times weekly for 12 weeks. Outcome measure was Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) administered at baseline, posttreatment, and at 6 months. RESULTS: Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed a group by time interaction on the GDS. Unlike control and tai chi participants whose scores remained relatively unchanged, the mahjong group reported a drop of 3.25 points (95% confidence interval: 1.00-5.50) on the GDS at posttreatment but gained back 2.83 points (95% confidence interval: 1.95-5.47) at 6 months. Activity discontinuation might be the reason for depression to return to baseline.
CONCLUSIONS: Mahjong can lower depressive symptoms in those with mild dementia, but activity maintenance may be essential for long-term effects.
DOI
10.1097/JGP.0b013e3182423988
Print ISSN
10647481
E-ISSN
15457214
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 2012 American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry
Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Cheng, S.-T., Chow, P. K., Song, Y.-Q., Yu, E. C. S., & Chan, A. C. M. (2012). Leisure activities alleviate depressive symptoms in nursing home residents with very mild or mild dementia. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 20(10), 904-908. doi: 10.1097/JGP.0b013e3182423988
