Promoting physical activity to improve the outcome of depression in later life (ACTIVEDEP Project)

Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide and affects 5-15% of adults over the age of 65 years. Several currently available treatments for depression have proven efficacy, however up to 40% of people with depression fail to recover after a course of appropriate treatment.

This leads to increased long term morbidity, greater use of health services, and increased costs to the person with depression, his or her family and the community and eventually mortality. There is some indication that physical activity improves mood and promotes the remission of symptoms in older people with depression. The study will determine if a general practitioner mediated physical activity intervention for older adults with depression improves treatment response to usual antidepressant treatment and decreases the prevalence of depression over a 1-year period. The intervention has been designed for delivery to a large number of older people by being inexpensive, home based, and delivered via easily distributed and understood media for self management and monitoring. If successful, the intervention has potential to influence how health promotion interventions are delivered through a general practice setting.

This study is currently recruiting volunteers. If you are over 50 years old and have a low mood contact us on (08) 9224 2855 for more information.