The role of physical activity in post-stroke depression among European women and men aged 50 and older.

Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine the associations between the frequency of moderate-vigorous physical activity and depression among adults aged 50 years or older with a history of stroke.Design and settingCross-sectional study using data from Wave 9 (2021-2022) of the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe.ParticipantsA total of 1323 adults aged 50 years or older with a history of stroke, residing in 18 European countries, were included.AnalysisBinary logistic regression models were used to examine associations between the weekly frequency of moderate-vigorous physical activity and depression. Analyses were stratified by sex and adjusted for potential confounders.Main measurementsDepression was assessed using the 12-item European Depression Scale. Weekly moderate-vigorous physical activity frequency was categorized as 1 time per week.ResultsAdjusted results showed that, for men, engaging in moderate physical activity once (odds ratio = 0.60) or more than once a week (odds ratio = 0.49) reduced the odds of depression. For vigorous physical activity, the benefit in men required a frequency of more than once a week (odds ratio = 0.61). Among women, moderate-vigorous physical activity significantly reduced the risk of depression only when performed more than once a week (odds ratio = 0.58 and 0.43, respectively).ConclusionIn individuals aged 50 or older with a history of stroke, the weekly frequency of moderate-vigorous physical activity was associated with lower odds of depression in both sexes. However, the benefits of this association vary by sex.