PMID 40520628

Research
All papers

Feasibility and effects of high-intensity interval training in older adults with mild to moderate depressive symptoms: A pilot cluster-randomized controlled trial

Duan Y, Wang Y, Liang W, Wong HS, Baker JS, Yang S

Question

Is supervised group HIIT feasible and potentially beneficial for older adults with mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms compared with Baduanjin or recreation workshops?

Summary

In a small pilot cluster-randomized trial, older adults with mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms completed supervised group HIIT, moderate-intensity Baduanjin, or recreation workshops for 16 weeks. HIIT looked feasible and acceptable and showed promising depression and fitness signals, but the sample was very small and only one center represented each group.

Methodology

  • Older adults aged 60-74 with mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms
  • 24 participants.
  • Machine-free cardiorespiratory and resistance movements.
  • Work intervals: 30 seconds progressing to 65 seconds.
  • Recovery: 60 seconds active recovery.
  • Intensity: High intensity, HR and RPE monitored.
  • Main section 14 minutes to 19 minutes 50 seconds plus warm-up/cool-down.
  • 2 sessions/week.
  • 16 weeks.
  • Pilot cluster-randomized controlled trial
  • Feasibility, Depressive symptoms, Physical fitness, and Safety were tracked.

Outcomes

Feasibility

HIIT met promising feasibility and acceptability signals.

Retention 87.5%, attendance 86.6%, and 87.5% completed >=75% sessions.

Improved

Depressive symptoms

HIIT showed larger depressive-symptom improvement signals than both comparators.

Effect sizes versus MICT-Baduanjin d=-1.02 and recreation workshop d=-1.32.

Improved

Safety

Two mild adverse events occurred in HIIT, with one dropout.

Descriptive adverse-event reporting.

Safety concern

Insights

  • For older adults, interval progression should be conservative and paired with HR/RPE checks.
  • Enjoyment and satisfaction can be measured as adherence signals, not just outcomes.
  • Joint-pain screening and substitutions are necessary in older-adult HIIT.

Limitations

  • Very small pilot sample.
  • Only one center per group.
  • Mostly female participants aged 60-74.
  • No follow-up.
  • Self-reported depression outcome.

Safety

  • Two mild adverse events occurred in HIIT.
  • One adverse event related to knee pain history led to dropout.
  • No adverse events occurred in MICT-Baduanjin or recreation workshop groups.