Factors affecting the increased risk of physical inactivity among older people with depressive symptoms.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between depressive symptoms and physical inactivity, and whether motives for and barriers to exercise explain the potential association between depressive symptoms and physical inactivity in older people. The design of the study was cross-sectional. The study population comprised 645 people born between 1922 and 1928 who were residents in a city-center area of Jyväskylä in central Finland. Depressive symptoms were assessed using Center for the Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, physical activity using Grimby's (1986) validated scale, and motives for and barriers to exercise using a questionnaire and mobility limitation with a…

CareACT - internet-based intervention for enhancing the psychological well-being of elderly caregivers – a study protocol of a controlled trial

Abstract Background The rapid increase in the number of elderly family caregivers underlines the need for new support systems. Internet-delivered psychological interventions are a potential approach, as they are easy to access for family caregivers who are often homebound with their care recipient. This study examines the relative effectiveness of an internet-based acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) intervention or a standardized institutional rehabilitation program, first, in reducing depressive symptoms, and second, in improving the well-being and quality of life of elderly family caregivers compared to a control group receiving support from voluntary family caregiver associations. M…

Supporting parents of children with chronic conditions: A randomized controlled trial of web-based and self-help ACT interventions

Objective Many parents of children with chronic conditions and developmental disabilities experience high rates of burnout and psychological distress. The aim of the current study was to examine the effects of two differently delivered interventions based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on symptoms of burnout, depression, quality of life, psychological flexibility, and mindfulness skills. Method A total of 110 parents of children aged 0.8 to 17 years with chronic conditions and developmental disabilities participated in a randomized controlled trial lasting 13 weeks with two intervention groups: (1) an iACT intervention, including three psychologist-led video conferencing session…

Genetic contribution to the relationship between personality and depressive symptoms among older women.

BackgroundPrior studies suggest that certain types of personality are at higher risk for developing depressive disorders. This study examined the relationship between old age depressive symptoms and two middle-age personality dimensions, neuroticism and extraversion.MethodThe present study is part of the Finnish Twin Study on Aging, where altogether 409 female twins who had completed the Eysenck Personality Inventory at the age of 38–51 years were studied for depressive symptoms 28 years later using Center for the Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Logistic regression analysis suitable for dependent data and univariate and Cholesky models for decomposing the genetic and environmental f…

Supported Web-Based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Older Family Caregivers (CareACT) Compared to Usual Care

Objectives: The objective of the present study was to investigate whether an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)-based web-intervention (Group 1, CareACT), or a standardized rehabilitation in a rehabilitation center (Group 2) was effective in enhancing the psychological well-being of family caregivers aged 60 and over compared to support provided by voluntary caregiver associations (Group 3). Methods: Altogether, 149 family caregivers participated in this quasi-experimental study. Primary outcome measure was depression. Secondary outcomes included anxiety, sense of coherence, quality of life, psychological flexibility, experiential avoidance, and thought suppression. The questionnaires …

Effects of intensive strength-power training on sense of coherence among 60-85-year-old people with hip fracture: A randomized controlled trial

Background and aims: Older people with disabilities are at increased risk of psychological health decline. There are no earlier studies on the effects of resistance training on sense of coherence (SOC) among older people with a history of hip fracture. The aim of this study is to test the effects of intensive 12-week strength-power training on SOC among older adults after hip fracture. Methods: A clinical sample of 60-85-year-old community-dwelling men and women was studied, 0.5. to 7.0 years after hip fracture. Forty-six had no contraindications for participation and were randomized into training (n=24) and control groups (n=22). The training group participated in a 12-week, individually t…

"Ei tää hullumpi ole" : yli 60-vuotiaiden omaishoitajien etäkuntoutuksen vaikuttavuus ja kuntoutujien kokemukset

Hankkeen tavoitteena oli tutkia verkkopohjaisen, hyväksymis- ja omistautumisterapiamenetelmiin perustuvan etäkuntoutusohjelman vaikutuksia yli 60-vuotiaiden omaishoitajien psyykkiseen hyvinvointiin. Hanke toteutettiin näennäiskokeellisessa asetelmassa vertaamalla keskenään ryhmiä, joista yksi osallistui 12 viikon etäkuntoutusohjelmaan (n = 60), yksi omaishoitajien laitoskuntoutukseen (n = 52) ja yksi omaishoitoyhdistysten tarjoamiin toimintoihin (n = 39). Omaishoitajien psyykkistä hyvinvointia arvioitiin tutkimuksen alussa, etäkuntoutusohjelman jälkeen 4 kuukauden välimittauksissa sekä 10 kuukauden kuluttua tutkimuksen alusta. Tässä artikkelissa raportoidaan tuloksia ja kokemuksia hankkeen …

Depressive symptoms, sense of coherence, physical activity and genetic factors among older people

The role of thought suppression and psychological inflexibility in older family caregivers’ psychological symptoms and quality of life

Abstract Background Family caregivers often report high levels of distress, including depressive symptoms, anxiety, and reduced quality of life. There is a need for a greater understanding of the factors influencing, explaining, and maintaining psychological distress in family caregivers. Aim The aim of this study was to examine whether avoidance strategies such as thought suppression (WBSI), psychological inflexibility (AAQ-II), and, and caregiver experiential avoidance (EACQ) predict psychological distress (BDI-II, GAD-7) and quality of life (WHOQOL) in family caregivers aged 60 and over. We hypothesized that these avoidance strategies would explain elevated levels of psychological sympto…

The effects of physical activity counseling on mood among 75- to 81-year-old people: a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract Objectives. To examine the effects of physical activity counseling on mood among older people unselected for their depressive symptomatology. Methods. Data are from “Screening and Counseling for Physical Activity and Mobility in Older People” project (SCAMOB), conducted in Finland during 2003–2005. SCAMOB was a 2-year single-blinded randomized controlled trial among 624 participants 75 years and older randomized into physical activity counseling group and control group. Depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline and after 24 months using Center for the Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Results. Among all the study participants, no effect of intervention was observed. Howev…

Sense of coherence: effect on adherence and response to resistance training in older people with hip fracture history.

Our aim was to study the effects of sense of coherence (SOC) on training adherence and interindividual changes in muscle strength, mobility, and balance after resistance training in older people with hip fracture history. These are secondary analyses of a 12-week randomized controlled trial of progressive resistance training in 60- to 85-year-old community-dwelling people 0.5–7 years after hip fracture (n = 45; ISRCTN34271567). Pre- and posttrial assessments included SOC, knee extension strength, walking speed, timed up-and-go (TUG), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Group-by-SOC interaction effects (repeated-measures ANOVA) were statistically significant for TUG (p = .005) and BBS (p = .040), …

The effect of out-of-home activity intervention delivered by volunteers on depressive symptoms among older people with severe mobility limitations: a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: To examine the effects of an individualized outdoor activity intervention carried out by volunteers on depressive symptoms among community-living older people with severe mobility limitations who have difficulties accessing the outdoors independently. Methods: Secondary analyses of the “Volunteering, Access to Outdoor Activities and Wellbeing in Older People” (VOW) data (ISRCTN56847832). VOW was a randomized single blinded two-arm controlled trial conducted in Jyväskylä, Finland, in 2009-2011. At baseline, 121 people aged 67-92 years with severe mobility limitations were interviewed at home and randomized into either an intervention or waiting list control group. Volunteers (n=4…