Study protocol

DeLLITE Depression in late life: an intervention trial of exercise. Design and recruitment of a randomised controlled trial

Ngaire Kerse^1* , Karen Falloon^1* , Simon A Moyes¹ , Karen J Hayman^1* , Tony Dowell² , Gregory S Kolt^3,4 , C Raina Elley¹ , Simon Hatcher⁵ , Kathy Peri⁶ , Sally Keeling⁷ , Elizabeth Robinson⁸ , John Parsons⁹ , Janine Wiles and Bruce Arroll¹

¹  Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

²  Department of General Practice, Wellington Clinical School, University of Otago, Wellington New Zealand

³  School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, Australia

⁴  Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand

⁵  Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

⁶  School of Nursing. Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

⁷  Health Care of the Elderly, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand

⁸  Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

⁹  Department of Social and Community Health, School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

author email corresponding author email* Contributed equally

BMC Geriatrics 2008, 8:12doi:10.1186/1471-2318-8-12

Published:	24 May 2008

Abstract

Background

Physical activity shows potential in combating the poor outcomes associated with depression in older people. Meta-analyses show gaps in the research with poor trial design compromising certainty in conclusions and few programmes showing sustained effects.

Methods/design

The Depression in Late Life: an Intervention Trial of Exercise (DeLLITE) is a 12 month randomised controlled trial of a physical activity intervention to increase functional status in people aged 75 years and older with depressive symptoms. The intervention involves an individualised activity programme based on goal setting and progression of difficulty of activities delivered by a trained nurse during 8 home visits over 6 months. The control group received time matched home visits to discuss social contacts and networks. Baseline, 6 and 12 months measures were assessed in face to face visits with the primary outcome being functional status (SPPB, NEADL). Secondary outcomes include depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale), quality of life (SF-36), physical activity (AHS Physical Activity Questionnaire) and falls (self report).

Discussion

Due to report in 2008 the DeLLITE study has recruited 70% of those eligible and tests the efficacy of a home based, goal setting physical activity programme in improving function, mood and quality of life in older people with depressive symptomatology. If successful in improving function and mood this trial could prove for the first time that there are long term health benefit of physical activity, independent of social activity, in this high risk group who consume excess health related costs.

Trial registration

Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register ACTRN12605000475640