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

• Main Authors: Seyede Salehe Mortazavi, Mohsen Shati, Hassan Eftekhar Ardebili, Kazem Mohammad, Reza Dorali Beni, Ammar Hassanzadeh Keshteli
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2013-01-01
• Series: International Journal of Preventive Medicine
• Subjects: Elderly; group-based physical activity; home-based physical activity; mental health
• Online Access: http://www.ijpvmjournal.net/article.asp?issn=2008-7802;year=2013;volume=4;issue=11;spage=1282;epage=1289;aulast=Mortazavi
• ISSN: 2008-7802; 2008-8213

Background: 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. Methods: 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). Results: 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. Conclusions: These findings reveal the probable effects of GB rather than HB physical activity on mental health among the elderly.