Do the factors associated with depressive symptoms differ among patterns of 24-hour movement behavior in older adults with chronic diseases?

This study examined factors associated with depressive symptoms (DS) among older adults based on 24-h movement behavior patterns. DS were assessed using the 5-item Geriatric Depression Scale, and movement behaviors were measured via accelerometry in 216 Brazilian older adults (mean age = 68.7 ± 6.8 years; 76.9% female) with chronic diseases. K-means clustering identified three behavioral patterns: Long Sleepers, Low Sedentary (LSLS, n = 73); Short Sleepers, Moderate Sedentary (SSMS, n = 74); and Moderate Sleepers, High Sedentary (MSHS, n = 69). Regression analyses tested associations between sociodemographic and health indicators and DS within each pattern. Females reported significantly more DS than males in LSLS (β=0.69, p = 0.03) and SSMS (β=0.61, p = 0.04). In MSHS, poorer sleep quality was associated with higher DS (β=0.06, p = 0.02). Factors associated with DS differed by movement behavior pattern, suggesting the importance of tailored approaches that consider combined movement behaviors to address the burden of DS.