According to American researchers, playing exergames regularly i. e. video games that combine game play with exercise have been found to significantly improve mood and mental health-related quality of life in older people suffering from sub-syndromal depression (SSD).

Sub-syndromal depression associated with an increased risk of major depressive disorder development, according to study lead Dr. Dilip V. Jeste, University of California, San Diego, is associated with substantial suffering, functional disability and increased use of costly medical services, is far more common than major depression in seniors.

Jeste says physical activity improves depression, however, physical activity recommendations are met by fewer than 5% of older adults.

For the study, 19 participants aged 63 – 94-years with sub-syndromal depression, three times a week played exergames like tennis, bowling, baseball, golf or boxing on the Nintendo Wii video game system for 35-minute sessions.

Scientists, however, stress exergames have the potential to cause injury and should be practiced with appropriate care.

A 50% reduction of depressive symptoms was noted in over one-third of the participants, including a significant improvement in mental health-related quality of life and increased cognitive stimulation.

The study will be published in the March issue of the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.