The Effect of Game-Based Exercise on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Elderly Women: A Clinical Trial in Iran

Introduction: Physical activity and exercise are generally effective in reducing the psychological decline associated with aging. These activities can be beneficial for individuals in residential care settings, as well as complementing for medication therapy. This study was designed to examine the effects of exercise and game-based interventions on the psychological functioning of elderly individuals. Methods: This study was experimental and single-blinded, featuring a control group. The participants consisted of 40 elderly women aged between 65 and 75 years, who were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. Both groups participated in an 8-week training program that included the same type of physical exercises. However, the intervention group engaged in the exercises formatted as a game. The DASS-21 scoring scale was used to evaluate symptoms related to depression, anxiety, and stress. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS-26 software, applying both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant in all analyses. Results: The post-test results indicated a significant reduction in depression, anxiety, and stress levels in the intervention group compared to the control group. Specifically, the scores were as follows: depression (7.60±2.98 vs. 9.35±4.62, P=0.001), anxiety (5.60±2.95 vs. 9.00±4.09, P=0.001), and stress (10.80±3.51 vs. 13.55±5.09, P=0.001). The effect of game-based activities such as walking between markers, standing on one leg, throwing a soft ball at the target, and imitating the coach’s movements in the intervention group on depression, anxiety, and stress in elderly women in the post-test phase was 17.7%, 47.9%, and 27.9%, respectively, which showed a significant reduction compared to before. Conclusion: The study indicated that game-based exercises can be used as a low-cost, low-risk, and accessible therapeutic intervention to improve the mental health of the elderly.