Autor(es):
Conceição, Ariani França ; Furtado, Guilherme Eustáquio ; Lourenço, Camilo Luis Monteiro ; Dias, Ana Luiza Rego ; Rodrigues, Francisco ; Costa, Sónia Brito ; Cezar, Natália Oiring de Castro ; Oliveira, Marcos Paulo Braz de ; Rocha, Saulo Vasconcelos ; Rodrigues, Francisco
Data: 2025
Identificador Persistente: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.11/10292
Origem: Repositório Científico do Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco
Assunto(s): Aged; Depressive disorder; Exercise therapy; Physical ftness; Motor activity; Physical functionalperformance
Descrição
Background: Depression is a prevalent mental health condition among older adults, negatively impacting their quality of life and overall well-being. Physical exercise has been identifed as a potential intervention for improving mental health in this population. Multicomponent training (MCT), which combines exercises targeting multiple physical capacities, is widely prescribed to older adults; however, its efcacy in reducing depressive symptoms (DS) remains unclear. Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efects of MCT on DS in older adults, assess the overall efectiveness of such interventions, and identify methodological and contextual factors that might infuence outcomes. Methods: We conducted a systematic search across six databases—PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science—for clinical trials evaluating MCT interventions in older adults with DS. Included studies used the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) to assess outcomes. MCT was defined as a training program incorporating at least three distinct physical capacities (e.g., strength, endurance, balance, fexibility). Meta-analyses were performed using a random-efects model (Hedges’ g), and study quality was assessed using the TESTEX scale. Results: Ten studies (n=781) were included in the systematic review, with fve studies (n=305) included in the meta-analysis. The pooled analysis revealed no signifcant overall efect of MCT on DS (g=−0.090; 95% CI=−0.448 to 0.269, p=0.624). Methodological inconsistencies, lack of load control, and high variability in MCT composition across studies were noted. The median methodological quality was moderate (median TESTEX score=7, IQR 7–8). Recent literature has emphasized the importance of protocol specifcity and suggested that current MCT designs may not efectively address mental health outcomes. Conclusion: MCT interventions did not show a signifcant efect on reducing DS in older adults. Given its frequent prescription in geriatric care, these fndings challenge current assumptions about MCT’s mental health benefts. This message is crucial for clinicians and researchers, as small variations in protocol design may hinder consistency in outcomes. Further high-quality trials are needed to clarify MCT's potential role in mental health management among older adults.
