While exercise is known to benefit mental health, a new study has found that it is not effective in reducing symptoms of depression in older people living in nursing homes.

UK researchers set out to determine whether exercise sessions could help reduce depression among nursing home residents. Over 1,000 older people from 78 nursing homes took part in sessions twice a week over a 12-month period.

Almost half of those who took part had depression.

According to the researchers, while the sessions were popular with residents, they did not have any effect on depression or overall quality of life.

"We are disappointed that this exercise intervention had no effect on the serious problem of depression with the care home residents.

"We already know that antidepressants are effective for more severely depressed patients, while preventive strategies such as increased social engagement and psychological stimulation are promising, but as yet unproven. New approaches are clearly needed to address the major burden of depression in this most needy population," the researchers said.

They emphasised that the results only apply to people in nursing homes with depression and pointed out that exercise ‘improves fitness and physical health in younger people and in fitter elderly people'.

"While the intervention was unfortunately not effective in reducing the presence of depressive symptoms in this population, with nearly half of the residents in our study showing depressive symptoms, we are hopeful that this will spur further research around understanding and improving the lives of older people in care homes," they added.

Details of these findings are published in the journal, The Lancet.

For more information on depression, see our Depression Clinic here