Review of Literature

Review of Literature

ABSTRACT

Depression in older patients has been the leading cause of age-related morbidities, increased mortality, and low quality of life. Experiment and research have proven that involvement of the clients in outdoor activities helps a lot in mitigation of age-related stress and depressive disorders. Researchers hypothesize that higher participation in outdoor activities translates to a decrease in depression levels among the aged. Experimental research has had various stages of progress in the reduction of age-related depression. Among the factors that have made research programs so common are, widespread knowledge of evidence bases researches that physical health has a significant impact on individual health. Consequently, there is growing evidence of successes of the nature of their health.

The main focus of the study is to employ other methods to alleviate the suffering of the elderly due to age-related depression. The review looks at different research works that have been done by various researchers to validate outdoor activities as a treatment modality for age-related stress and depression. The script explains how outdoor activities impact the treatment of depression..

How Outdoor Activities Help People With Depression

LITERATURE REVIEW

There has been a mutual relationship between reported level of activity and measure of effect in older people. Lomranz et al. (1988) acknowledge that the relationship is mediated by satisfaction from the specific event. The research conducted comprised of 54 women and 55 men in 60 -80 age bracket. The researcher ensured they were functioning normally in society. The method of data collection applied was the use of a questionnaire about the frequency of indoor to outdoor activities. The participant was also required to state the level of satisfaction in each.

The impact of either activity was taken concerning gender and analysis were done using various tools. According to Lomranz et al., (1988), adverse effects were measured using Zung’s Self-Rating Depression Scale while positive results were cleared Using Bradburn Well-Being Scale (Affect balance). Male participants showed a negative correlation between depression and either outdoor and indoor and a significant positive creation to well-being.  In female participants, a meaningful positive relationship was obtained only between welfare and outdoor activities. This does not fully support the hypothesis that higher participation in outdoor activities translates to a decrease in age-related depression in clients (Lomranz et al., 1988). Therefore a conclusion can be made that the hypothesis is affected by the gender of the person. In general, Lomranz et al. (1988) argues that both indoor and outdoor activities work better for women compared to male

Activities involving the natural environment are seen to relax the brain and reduce depression. Christensen Holt & Wilson (2013) acknowledges that both recreation and gardening activities as examples of outdoor activities are therapeutic in depression management. The research conducted in 2013 was meant to determine the relationship between outdoor activities and depression among residents of Montana. During this study, the investigation, it was hypothesized that depression would be negatively correlated with outdoor recreation participation and individuals participating in these activities would lower overall stress index score. According to Christensen Holt & Wilson, (2013), the researchers use various parameters in the study as predictors for multiple activities. For outdoor activities, dichotomized participation, participation index score and participation frequencies were applied. The two depression parameters that are dichotomized current primary and raw depression index. The results obtained supported the hypothesis, and that means the outdoor participants registered lower scores of depression compared to non-participants (Christensen Holt & Wilson, 2013). The respondents who decided to participate in outdoor recreation activities reduced depression to the lowest mean scores.

An alternative to recreational activities, another research using the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data was conducted. This data held a hypothesis that participation in gardening activity would negatively correlate to depression. Christensen Holt & Wilson, (2013) attests that after hypothesis testing was done and again, a linear relationship resulted. Gardeners, in general, had significantly lower depression scores compared to absolute non-gardeners.

In addition to outdoor and indoor researches only, a prospective study was set up where researchers chose 87 participants diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency and high depression.  Eligibility criteria were set, and thus 12 ineligible patients were dropped. The group was divided into two. The first group was assigned outdoor activities in addition to vitamin D therapy. The second had to do indoor activities and get vitamin D too. The last two groups were assigned outdoor and indoor activities each. The researchers got approval from the Research Ethics Committee (Irandoust, & Taheri, 2017). The primary goal was to evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation, outdoor and indoor activities on depression management.

It was observed that those who had vitamin D therapy besides in addition to outdoor physical activity experienced a higher percentage of improvement from depression than all other groups. Irandoust & Taheri (2017) noted that unique results were observed as there was no significant difference between all the other groups who never had outdoor activities regardless of vitamin D supplementation. From the research, it can further be concluded that outdoor physical activities enable people to manage stress, thus lowering depression prevalence.

Though vitamin D has a lot of benefits, and it’s seriously recommended for those having a deficiency. Therefore, outdoor activity improvement in depression can be explained using sunlight vitamin D absorption through the skin. The difference in depression score between two groups (indoor ₊ vitamin D and outdoor) shows the impact of activities on depression reduction. The literature review ensures that various the relationship between depressive disorder and its relationship with the external environment. However, there are remaining gaps in this field which suggest further research can be done.

Discussion Points

1. Plans necessary for mitigation of age-related depression
2. Interventions to prevent depression among the aged.
3. Management for patients already suffering from depression

Support for Discussion Points

Plans necessary for mitigation of age-related depression

The primary step in minimizing the aged from age-related depression in the elderly is ensuring they live a comfortable life. This can be done by educating the family on the importance of involving their aged in outdoor activities like leisure and gardening. Lifestyle modification is the most commended therapy for depression other than antidepressant pharmacotherapy.

Intervention to prevent depression among the aged

Nutrients deficiency, for example, vitamin D, can cause neurological deficits. Therefore dietary intake should be maintained, or replacement therapy is done when a deficiency is suspected.

Management of Patients already suffering from depression

Other than lifestyle modification and involvement in outdoor activities, severe depression can be managed through pharmacotherapy with tricyclic antidepressant drugs.

CONCLUSION

The logical review of depression management using physical environment and nature brings about benefits to both the caregiver and the patient. Outdoor activities are readily accessible and are cost-effective. These have multiple benefits on health with minimal risks. More research should be conducted, and health education should be offered to the patients.

Review of Literature

ABSTRACT

Depression in older patients has been the leading cause of age-related morbidities, increased mortality, and low quality of life. Experiment and research have proven that involvement of the clients in outdoor activities helps a lot in mitigation of age-related stress and depressive disorders. Researchers hypothesize that higher participation in outdoor activities translates to a decrease in depression levels among the aged. Experimental research has had various stages of progress in the reduction of age-related depression. Among the factors that have made research programs so common are, widespread knowledge of evidence bases researches that physical health has a significant impact on individual health. Consequently, there is growing evidence of successes of the nature of their health.

The main focus of the study is to employ other methods to alleviate the suffering of the elderly due to age-related depression. The review looks at different research works that have been done by various researchers to validate outdoor activities as a treatment modality for age-related stress and depression. The script explains how outdoor activities impact the treatment of depression.

How Outdoor Activities Help People With Depression

LITERATURE REVIEW

There has been a mutual relationship between reported level of activity and measure of effect in older people. Lomranz et al. (1988) acknowledge that the relationship is mediated by satisfaction from the specific event. The research conducted comprised of 54 women and 55 men in 60 -80 age bracket. The researcher ensured they were functioning normally in society. The method of data collection applied was the use of a questionnaire about the frequency of indoor to outdoor activities. The participant was also required to state the level of satisfaction in each.

The impact of either activity was taken concerning gender and analysis were done using various tools. According to Lomranz et al., (1988), adverse effects were measured using Zung’s Self-Rating Depression Scale while positive results were cleared Using Bradburn Well-Being Scale (Affect balance). Male participants showed a negative correlation between depression and either outdoor and indoor and a significant positive creation to well-being.  In female participants, a meaningful positive relationship was obtained only between welfare and outdoor activities. This does not fully support the hypothesis that higher participation in outdoor activities translates to a decrease in age-related depression in clients (Lomranz et al., 1988). Therefore a conclusion can be made that the hypothesis is affected by the gender of the person. In general, Lomranz et al. (1988) argues that both indoor and outdoor activities work better for women compared to male

Activities involving the natural environment are seen to relax the brain and reduce depression. Christensen Holt & Wilson (2013) acknowledges that both recreation and gardening activities as examples of outdoor activities are therapeutic in depression management. The research conducted in 2013 was meant to determine the relationship between outdoor activities and depression among residents of Montana. During this study, the investigation, it was hypothesized that depression would be negatively correlated with outdoor recreation participation and individuals participating in these activities would lower overall stress index score. According to Christensen Holt & Wilson, (2013), the researchers use various parameters in the study as predictors for multiple activities. For outdoor activities, dichotomized participation, participation index score and participation frequencies were applied. The two depression parameters that are dichotomized current primary and raw depression index. The results obtained supported the hypothesis, and that means the outdoor participants registered lower scores of depression compared to non-participants (Christensen Holt & Wilson, 2013). The respondents who decided to participate in outdoor recreation activities reduced depression to the lowest mean scores.

An alternative to recreational activities, another research using the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data was conducted. This data held a hypothesis that participation in gardening activity would negatively correlate to depression. Christensen Holt & Wilson, (2013) attests that after hypothesis testing was done and again, a linear relationship resulted. Gardeners, in general, had significantly lower depression scores compared to absolute non-gardeners.

In addition to outdoor and indoor researches only, a prospective study was set up where researchers chose 87 participants diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency and high depression.  Eligibility criteria were set, and thus 12 ineligible patients were dropped. The group was divided into two. The first group was assigned outdoor activities in addition to vitamin D therapy. The second had to do indoor activities and get vitamin D too. The last two groups were assigned outdoor and indoor activities each. The researchers got approval from the Research Ethics Committee (Irandoust, & Taheri, 2017). The primary goal was to evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation, outdoor and indoor activities on depression management.

It was observed that those who had vitamin D therapy besides in addition to outdoor physical activity experienced a higher percentage of improvement from depression than all other groups. Irandoust & Taheri (2017) noted that unique results were observed as there was no significant difference between all the other groups who never had outdoor activities regardless of vitamin D supplementation. From the research, it can further be concluded that outdoor physical activities enable people to manage stress, thus lowering depression prevalence.

Though vitamin D has a lot of benefits, and it’s seriously recommended for those having a deficiency. Therefore, outdoor activity improvement in depression can be explained using sunlight vitamin D absorption through the skin. The difference in depression score between two groups (indoor ₊ vitamin D and outdoor) shows the impact of activities on depression reduction. The literature review ensures that various the relationship between depressive disorder and its relationship with the external environment. However, there are remaining gaps in this field which suggest further research can be done.

Discussion Points

1. Plans necessary for mitigation of age-related depression
2. Interventions to prevent depression among the aged.
3. Management for patients already suffering from depression

Support for Discussion Points

Plans necessary for mitigation of age-related depression

The primary step in minimizing the aged from age-related depression in the elderly is ensuring they live a comfortable life. This can be done by educating the family on the importance of involving their aged in outdoor activities like leisure and gardening. Lifestyle modification is the most commended therapy for depression other than antidepressant pharmacotherapy.

Intervention to prevent depression among the aged

Nutrients deficiency, for example, vitamin D, can cause neurological deficits. Therefore dietary intake should be maintained, or replacement therapy is done when a deficiency is suspected.

Management of Patients already suffering from depression

Other than lifestyle modification and involvement in outdoor activities, severe depression can be managed through pharmacotherapy with tricyclic antidepressant drugs.

CONCLUSION

The logical review of depression management using physical environment and nature brings about benefits to both the caregiver and the patient. Outdoor activities are readily accessible and are cost-effective. These have multiple benefits on health with minimal risks. More research should be conducted, and health education should be offered to the patients.

References

Lomranz, J., Bergman, S., Eyal, N., & Shmotkin, D. (1988). Indoor and outdoor activities of aged women and men as related to depression and well-being. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 26(4), 303-314.

Christensen, K. M., Holt, J. M., & Wilson, J. F. (2013). The relationship between outdoor recreation and depression among older adults. World Leisure Journal, 55(1), 72-82.

Irandoust, K., & Taheri, M. (2017). The effect of vitamin D supplement and indoor vs outdoor physical activity on the depression of obese, depressed women. Asian journal of sports medicine, 8(3).

Colley, K., Currie, M. J., & Irvine, K. N. (2019). Then and now: Examining older people’s engagement in outdoor recreation across the life course. Leisure Sciences, 41(3), 186-202.

References

Lomranz, J., Bergman, S., Eyal, N., & Shmotkin, D. (1988). Indoor and outdoor activities of aged women and men as related to depression and well-being. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 26(4), 303-314.

Christensen, K. M., Holt, J. M., & Wilson, J. F. (2013). The relationship between outdoor recreation and depression among older adults. World Leisure Journal, 55(1), 72-82.

Irandoust, K., & Taheri, M. (2017). The effect of vitamin D supplement and indoor vs outdoor physical activity on the depression of obese, depressed women. Asian journal of sports medicine, 8(3).

Colley, K., Currie, M. J., & Irvine, K. N. (2019). Then and now: Examining older people’s engagement in outdoor recreation across the life course. Leisure Sciences, 41(3), 186-202.