CAN A LIFESTYLE INTERVENTION MODIFY REST ACTIVITY RHYTHMS AMONG BEREAVED OLDER ADULTS? RESULTS FROM A PILOT STUDY. (11th November 2018) - Stahl, S
Abstract: The death of a spouse is a life-altering event that is associated with disruption in routine daily activities. Disruption of daily activities place substantial stress on individuals' biological rhythm, thereby increasing the risk for mood disorders like depression. The goal of this study was to examine (1) whether a behavioral lifestyle intervention modified rest-activity rhythms in older spousally-bereaved adults; and (2) whether changes in rest-activity rhythms correlate with clinical benefit, namely depression symptom burden. The rest-activity rhythm (RAR) reflects the 24-hour rhythm of sleep and daytime activity and is an indirect indicator of individuals' biological clock. Participants included X adults aged 60–86 years whose spouse or life partner recently died (M time since death = 4.3 months). Participants monitored their sleeping, eating, and physical activity behaviors via tablet technology for 12 weeks. RAR measures of timing, regularity, and amplitude were derived from actigraphy at the beginning and end of the intervention. Depression symptoms were measured using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale with the sleep items removed. We observed a significant change in intra daily variability, a non-parametric measure of RAR regularity, from pre- to post-intervention (d=.47). Improvement in intra daily variability was, in turn, significantly correlated with less depression symptoms at post-intervention (r = .24). RAR timing and amplitude did not significantly change from pre-to post-intervention. Specific parameters of the RAR may serve as behavioral targets for depression prevention. In the context of spousal bereavement, strengthening the regularity of daily activities may decrease the risk of developing major depression.