LAUSR

This study examined the bidirectional relationship between depressive symptoms and physical performance in community-dwelling older people with subjective memory complaints (SMCs). An independent effect of baseline physical performance on the change of depressive symptoms over time and an independent effect of baseline depressive symptoms on the change of physical performance over time were found. Since depressive symptoms and physical performance had a bidirectional relationship, improvement of one may improve the other. This study examined the bidirectional relationship between depressive symptoms and physical performance in community-dwelling older people with subjective memory complaints. Secondary analyses using data from the Multidomain Alzheimer Preventive Trial (MAPT) study were performed. The participants were 1679 subjects (female, 64.8%; mean age, 75.3 ± 4.4 years). The outcome measures were depressive symptoms assessed by the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and physical performance assessed by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and handgrip strength (HGS). All measurements were performed at baseline and at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months. The bidirectional relationships of GDS with SPPB and HGS were examined using mixed-effect regression analysis. Baseline physical performance was significantly associated with a decreased GDS score (SPPB score: β = − 0.210, 95% confidence interval [CI], − 0.283 to − 0.137; HGS: β = − 0.038, 95% CI − 0.056 to − 0.019). The baseline GDS score was significantly associated with decreased physical performance (SPPB score: β = − 0.082, 95% CI − 0.107 to − 0.056; HGS: β = − 0.261, 95% CI − 0.370 to − 0.152). Since depressive symptoms and physical performance had a bidirectional relationship, prevention or improvement of decreased physical performance could play a role in reducing depressive symptoms, and addressing depressive symptoms may play a role in improving physical performance. NCT01513252.