Moderate-Intensity Walking Training Improves Depressive Symptoms and Pain in Older Adults with Good Quality of Life: A Controlled Randomized Trial

Abstract Background: Walking training can be an adequate choice to improve physical and psychological conditions in the elderly. Studies have reported positive changes in the quality of life, depressive symptoms and pain. However, baseline characteristics of volunteers have been controlled, and some of previous studies have not investigated these parameters concomitantly. Objectives: To assess the effects of moderate-intensity walking on quality of life, depressive symptoms and physical pain in physically active elderly individuals. Methods: Sixty-nine subjects were recruited and allocated into two groups: training group (n = 40) and control group (n = 29). All were evaluated for quality of life, depressive symptoms and pain. Training group underwent 40 minutes of walking (50-70% of maximum heart rate), 3 days a week for 12 weeks. For statistical analysis, we used the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Student’s t-test and Split-Plot ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc, Pearson correlation. Significance level was set at 5%. Results: After 12 weeks of training, depressive symptoms and physical pain significantly reduced in the training group (2.7 ± 2.4 to 1.9 ± 1.8 and 4.3 ± 3.1 to 2.8 ± 2.9, respectively) compared with baseline values, and remained unchanged in the control group. There was a positive, moderate correlation between depressive symptoms and pain (r = 0.30). Conclusion: physically active elderly individuals with good quality of life show improved depressive symptoms after a short-term moderate-intensity walking training program.

摘要 背景：步行训练可作为改善老年人群躯体与心理状态的适宜干预手段。已有研究表明，该训练可改善受试者的生活质量、缓解抑郁症状并减轻疼痛。但既往研究均对志愿者的基线特征进行了控制，且部分研究未同时考察上述多项评价指标。
研究目的：评估中等强度步行训练对规律进行体力活动的老年人群的生活质量、抑郁症状及躯体疼痛的影响。
研究方法：共招募69名受试者，随机分为训练组（n=40）与对照组（n=29）。所有受试者均接受生活质量、抑郁症状及疼痛状况的评估。训练组受试者每周进行3次、每次40分钟的步行训练，运动强度控制为最大心率的50%~70%，训练周期共12周。统计学分析采用科尔莫戈罗夫-斯米尔诺夫检验（Kolmogorov-Smirnov test）、学生t检验（Student’s t-test）、结合Bonferroni事后检验的裂区方差分析（Split-Plot ANOVA）以及皮尔逊相关分析（Pearson correlation），检验水准设定为5%。
研究结果：与基线水平相比，训练组受试者在12周训练结束后，抑郁症状与躯体疼痛评分均显著降低（抑郁症状评分从2.7±2.4降至1.9±1.8，躯体疼痛评分从4.3±3.1降至2.8±2.9），而对照组上述两项指标均无明显变化。抑郁症状与疼痛程度之间存在中等程度的正相关（r=0.30）。
研究结论：具备良好生活质量的规律体力活动老年人群，在接受短期中等强度步行训练方案干预后，其抑郁症状可得到显著改善。