Depression Treatment: Effect on Gait and Cognitive Function

A study in Clinical Neuropharmacology explored the possible effects of antidepressant treatment on depressed patients’ gait, affect, and cognitive function. 19 patients (mean age=68.6 years) recently diagnosed with DSM-IV depression were evaluated at baseline and 10-week followup with several clinical scales, including the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and the Mini-Mental State Examination. Gait was evaluated with a stopwatch and force-sensitive insoles. Treatment therapy significantly improved affect (P<.001) according to the HAM-D. Researchers also found “small but significant” improvement in gait speed, stride time variability, and gait asymmetry. All cognitive functions improved significantly except hand-eye coordination.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17414938

-LS