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

PMID: 40520628
Journal: Journal of Exercise Science and Fitness
Published: 2025-07
Authors: 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.

## Population

- Older adults aged 60-74 with mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms
- Sample size: 24
- Age: Completer baseline mean 69.9 +/- 3.5 years
- Sex: 18 of 20 completers were female
- Fitness level: Community older adults without prior profound HIIT or Baduanjin experience
- Health status: Mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms, medically cleared for participation

## Methodology

- Pilot cluster-randomized controlled trial
- 16 weeks
- Supervised group sessions in elderly centers
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- Older-adult group HIIT.
- Modality: Machine-free cardiorespiratory and resistance movements.
- Work intervals: 30 seconds progressing to 65 seconds.
- Recovery: 60 seconds active recovery.
- Sets or repetitions: Ten movements; main section progressed over 16 weeks.
- Intensity: High intensity, HR and RPE monitored.
- Session duration: Main section 14 minutes to 19 minutes 50 seconds plus warm-up/cool-down.
- Frequency: 2 sessions/week.
- Program length: 16 weeks.
- Progression: Increase main-section duration and work interval length.
- MICT-Baduanjin or recreation workshop.
- Modality: 10-posture Baduanjin Qigong or social recreation workshop.
- Sets or repetitions: 10-posture Baduanjin in MICT group.
- Intensity: Moderate intensity for Baduanjin; non-exercise for recreation workshop.
- Session duration: Matched to intervention schedule.
- Frequency: 2 sessions/week.
- Program length: 16 weeks.

## Outcomes

### Feasibility
Status: improved
HIIT met promising feasibility and acceptability signals.

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

### Depressive symptoms
Status: improved
HIIT showed larger depressive-symptom improvement signals than both comparators.

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

### Safety
Status: worse/safety concern
Two mild adverse events occurred in HIIT, with one dropout.

Descriptive adverse-event reporting.

## Practical 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 And Adherence

- 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.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40520628/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesf.2025.05.004) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12167056/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.