Title

Leisure activities alleviate depressive symptoms in nursing home residents with very mild or mild dementia

Authors

Sheung Tak CHENG, Hong Kong Institute of EducationFollow
Pizza K. CHOW, Hong Kong Institute of EducationFollow
C. S., Edwin YU, Kwai Chung Hospital, Hong Kong
Cheung Ming, Alfred CHAN, Lingnan University, Hong Kong

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