Late-life depression (LLD) poses a significant public health challenge, profoundly affecting cognitive function and emotional well-being in the elderly. Current pharmacological treatments often have side effects, increasing interest in non-pharmacological interventions.

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a 12-week aerobic, strength, or balance training intervention on depressive symptoms and cognitive function in older adults with mild to moderate LLD while also investigating the impact of different training frequencies (3×/week or 5×/week).

We conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 121 community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years and above diagnosed with mild to moderate LLD. Stratified randomization will be conducted based on baseline depression severity and key characteristics, dividing patients into the intervention groups (drug therapy and standard care combined with aerobic exercise, strength training, or balance training interventions, respectively) and the control group (drug therapy and standard care). The exercise intervention comprised aerobic, strength or balance exercises conducted 3×/week or 5×/week. Depression severity and cognitive function were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) at baseline, after 12 weeks, and after a four-week follow-up. Additionally, physiological parameters, including weight, blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), resting heart rate, and fasting blood glucose levels, were assessed simultaneously to evaluate overall health improvements. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVA to assess within- and between-group changes.

The intervention group significantly improved depressive symptoms, cognitive function, and physiological parameters. Specifically, the HAMD-17 scores decreased by 6.5 ± 2.8 points (p < 0.001), while the MMSE scores increased by 5.7 ± 2.4 points (p < 0.001), indicating reduced depressive symptom severity and improved cognitive function, respectively. These improvements were significantly greater than those observed in the control group. Notably, high-frequency aerobic exercise (5×/week) yielded the most significant benefits, showing a reduction of 8.6 ± 2.7 points in HAMD-17 and an increase of 6.8 ± 2.1 points in MMSE (both p < 0.001).

The aerobic, strength, or balance training regimen effectively reduces depressive symptoms and improves cognitive function in older adults with LLD, offering a promising non-pharmacological treatment option. This study underscores the potential of exercise interventions to complement traditional therapies, paving the way for more holistic treatment strategies for late-life depression.

Cardiovascular health is influenced by various factors, including not only physiological and behavioural ones but also psychological well-being. However, when developing comprehensive preventive approaches, psychological interventions often receive less attention, despite their possible multiple mechanisms on cardiovascular health. Incorporating both healthy behaviour and psychological well-being promotion would be a more efficacious preventive approach. This study aims to investigate the effects of a community-based multicomponent intervention combining positive psychological intervention and lifestyle intervention on improving cardiovascular health among older adults with risk factors of cardiovascular diseases.

This study is a multicentre, community-based, randomised controlled trial with 18 months of intervention and follow-up for community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years and above with risk factors for cardiovascular health. Intervention activities last 6 months and are composed of in-person group training sessions of 60-80 min led by trained group instructors and weekly self-monitoring homework. Participants are randomly assigned to a multicomponent intervention 'Harmony' group (24 sessions of positive psychology and lifestyle intervention delivered weekly), an active control 'Lifestyle' group (eight sessions of lifestyle intervention delivered every 3-4 weeks) or a waitlist control group (no intervention activities). Positive psychological training sessions are designed using well-known techniques derived from positive psychology theories with adaptations to Chinese culture, and lifestyle training sessions are developed according to national guidelines. The primary outcome includes the change of a composite score of systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein levels, as well as psychological well-being measured from three perspectives, including hedonic, eudaimonic and evaluative well-being. Secondary assessments include other measures for physical and biological indicators, psychological well-being, health behaviours, social connection factors and overall cognitive functions. Primary data analyses will follow the intention-to-treat principle. To examine the effects of intervention, multilevel mixed models will be performed. In case of any differences in baseline participant characteristics, they will be adjusted for as covariates.

A centralised ethics review process was conducted, and the study protocol was approved by the ethics committee of the Institutional Review Board of the Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences in April 2022. A signed written informed consent form will be obtained from all participants. On completion, the trial results will be disseminated through published manuscripts and presentations at scientific conferences.

ChiCTR2200062929.

We sought to assess cognitive benefits of a community-based multidomain intervention for improving cognition among older adults at risk of cognitive decline (COMBAT).

A two-armed cluster-randomized controlled trial.

Community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years or older and were at risk of cognitive decline (n = 209).

In this 9-month intervention study, 10 community hospitals in Beijing, China, were randomized (1:1) to receive either a multidomain intervention of meditation, cognitive training, exercise, and nutrition counseling or usual care. The intervention was delivered with weekly 1-hour group training sessions and weekly home homework.

Primary outcome was change in cognition as measured by a composite Z score of seven cognitive tests. Secondary outcomes included subjective cognitive abilities, positive and negative affective experiences, physical activity, and dietary habits. Assessments were administered at baseline, end of the intervention, and 1 year after completing the intervention (1-year follow-up).

Immediately after the intervention, the intervention group showed significant enhancement in cognitive performance (p = 0.026). The between-group difference in the Z score of change of cognition was 0.20 (95% CI: 0.053, 0.35), with a Hedges' g of 0.40 (95% CI: 0.29, 0.50). However, this cognitive benefit was not significant at 1-year follow-up.

This multidomain intervention was effective to improve cognition for at-risk individuals. Long-term effects on cognitive function and individual differences in response to the intervention deserve further investigation.