NCT06014294

Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Depressive Symptoms in Hong Kong Older Adults

Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Depressive Symptoms in Hong Kong Older Adults With Mild and Moderate Depression: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Unknown
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 144 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Hong Kong Baptist University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 60 Years – 74 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Depression in later life is a common health problem in aging societies. It is associated with poor quality of life, and increased risks of morbidity and mortality. People with severe depression may develop serious psychotic symptoms (e.g., delusions) and have higher mortality and disability than those with mild and moderate depression. Traditional moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) (e.g., Baduanjin Qigong) has proved to be effective in preventing and alleviating depressive symptoms among older adults. However, older adults with mental illnesses have poorer engagement and compliance with MICT programs. In recent years, as a novel type of exercise, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), which includes repeated bouts of high-intensity effort followed by varied recovery times, appears to be a promising approach for overcoming limitations in traditional MICT programs. Considering there is little evidence of HIIT benefits related to older adults with depression, the current study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a 16-week HIIT intervention on depressive symptoms and other health-related outcomes among Hong Kong Chinese older adults.

Detailed description

The study will be a cluster randomized controlled trial (CRCT) with three groups and three times repeated measures. Data will be collected in a pretest, post-test, and three months after the intervention. The eligible community elderly centers will be randomly distributed into one of three groups in a ratio of 1:1:1. The participants recruited and meeting the screening criteria will receive a 16-week HIIT intervention or Baduanjin exercise or recreation workshop. The intervention effects will be evaluated on depressive symptoms, concentration of salivary cortisol, sleep quality, quality of life, and physical fitness.

Conditions

• Depressive Symptoms

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	HIIT	Participants will receive a 16-week HIIT program, with 2 sessions per week. Each session will comprise three sections, including warm-up, main exercise and cool down. The time will be between 34 to 40 minutes with progression of training. Each HIIT section will include ten combined exercises with self-weight. For Weeks 1-2, the HIIT section will include 10 intervals of 30 seconds HIIT workout at corresponding intensity, separated by 9 intervals of 60 seconds of active recovery.
BEHAVIORAL	Baduanjin	As a typical MICT, Baduanjin Qigong will be performed. The instructor will provide group teaching with individual instructions on specific movements. The same training principles of individuality and progression used in the HIIT group will also be applied to Baduanjin Qigong group.
BEHAVIORAL	Workshop	Participants in the non-exercise control group will receive a series of workshops related to daily recreation.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-03-01
• Primary completion: 2024-06-01
• Completion: 2024-12-31
• First posted: 2023-08-28
• Last updated: 2023-09-01

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Hong Kong