Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

Depression, ADLs, and Physical Activity in Adults with Alzheimer's Disease

Publication Date

12-2-2025

College

College of Sciences & Mathematics

Department

Psychological Science, Department of

SURS Faculty Advisor

Michael Oliver

Presentation Type

Metadata Only

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, causes progressive cognitive decline that often impairs the ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). Difficulties with ADLs can contribute to depression and other mental health challenges. Since many ADLs require motor skills, physical activity may help maintain independence, thus reducing depression. This study examined whether physical activity mediates the relationship between depression and ADL performance in individuals with AD. Data were obtained from a publicly available Kaggle dataset. After filtering for participants who self-reported their weekly hours of physical activity, depression diagnosis, and ability to complete ADLs, the resulting sample was 648 participants. A mediation analysis using linear regression was conducted to examine whether physical activity influenced the relationship between depression and ADL performance. Results showed that physical activity did not significantly predict depression (F(1,646) = 0.964, p = .327) or ADL completion (F(1,646) = 0.538, p = .464). Depression also did not significantly predict ADL performance, either directly or indirectly through physical activity, indicating no evidence of a mediating effect. These findings indicate that physical activity may not independently mitigate depressive symptoms or improve daily functioning in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Future studies should consider including a control group and more nuanced measures of mental health to better clarify potential relationships among these variables.

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