International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Jan 2013)

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

  • Seyede Salehe Mortazavi,
  • Mohsen Shati,
  • Hassan Eftekhar Ardebili,
  • Kazem Mohammad,
  • Reza Dorali Beni,
  • Ammar Hassanzadeh Keshteli

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4, no. 11
pp. 1282 – 1289

Abstract

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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.

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