Assessing the effectiveness of health checkup services in reducing depressive symptoms in older adults with chronic diseases: a community-based pre-post observational study

More research is needed to fully understand the efficacy and applicability of technology-enhanced interventions for addressing both chronic disease management and mental health concerns simultaneously across diverse populations and healthcare settings. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of health checkup services provided by the community-based smart home healthcare project in reducing depressive symptoms among older adults with chronic diseases in Siheung-si, South Korea. The study population comprised older adults with chronic diseases residing in a single residential complex. The intervention used Internet of Things health measurement devices located at the Eungye Community Care Center. A total of 93 older adults participated in the study. Participation in health checkup services was significantly associated with a decrease in depressive symptoms (β=-0.74, standard error = 0.16, p < 0.001). Social support was found to partially mediate this relationship (indirect effect estimate=-0.21, p < 0.001). Engaging in community-based health checkup services may not only directly reduce depressive symptoms but also indirectly mitigate their impact by enhancing social support. This study highlights the potential of integrated, technology-enhanced community health services in addressing both physical and mental health needs of older adults with chronic conditions. However, further research with extended study periods is needed to fully assess the long-term effectiveness of these services and their applicability in diverse settings.