Comparing the effects of group and home-based physical activity on mental health in the elderly

The present study focuses on comparing the effects of home based [HB] and group based [GB] physical activity on mental health in a sample of older adults in Shahr-e-kord. In this quasi-experimental study, a twice weekly physical activity program for 2 months was provided either individually at home or in a group format for 181 people who were divided into two groups [HB and GB]. The outcome, mental health, was measured with the 28 item General Health Questionnaire [GHQ 28]. Mental health status improved after participation in the physical activity program. The decrease in GHQ 28 total score in GB group, 3 months after intervention, was 3.61 +/- 2.28 [P < 0.001]. In HB group, this reduction was 1.20 +/- 2.32 during the same period [P < 0.001]. The difference of these "before-after differences" between the two groups in the GHQ 28 and all its subscales was statistically significant [P < 0.001]. Also, the effects of GB physical activity on mental health compared with HB physical activity, adjusted for related baseline variables, were significant. These findings reveal the probable effects of GB rather than HB physical activity on mental health among the elderly.

[Assessing the mental health status of elderly in Shahrekord and relationship with sociodemographic factors]

The world population is aging rapidly with increasing longevity, it's social, financial and health consequences can not be ignored. In addition to an increase of many age related physical illnesses, this demographic change will also lead to an increase of a number of mental health problems in older adults. This paper assessing mental health and relationship with demographic factors in later life. In this cross sectional study 400 individual aged 60 or more living in Shahrekord were selected by random sampling. Mental health was evaluated by General Health Questionnaire [GHQ-28] which was standardized for Iranian elderly population. The data were analyzed by SPSS- software program and descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used for data analysis. The GHQ-28 scale revealed that 53% of elderly were with somatization, 55. 5% with anxiety, 37.8% with social dysfunction and 45% with depression signs. A significant association was found between gender, level of education, marital status, life status, social participation and total dysfunction [P<0.05]. According to the result of this study the prevalence of mental problems in the aged group is high. Therefore, any health promotion approach that could facilitate introduction of effective primary, secondary and even tertiary prevention strategies in old age psychiatry would be of significant importance