The Effect of the Movement Therapy on Depression in Elderly Women

Background: Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in the world.  Today in Iran depression constitutes 35-45% of psychaitric disorders which unfortunately, this rate is increasing.  Therefore new methods for treatment and prophylaxis  must be suggested.  The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of movement therapy on this burden in elderly women, convened at Mashhad, Toos elderly center. Materials and Methods: This study was a semi-experimental research.  The sample size consisted of 30 women 60-74 years old.  These individuals accomplished movment therapy program 30 sessions for 30-45 minutes every day in presence of the researchers. The depression score was measured by Beck test, and demographic data was collected by questionnaire.  The depression score of samples was measured before and after the movement therapy program. Results: The mean of the depression score was 20.87 before the movement therapy program; and after the program it was decreased to 16.4. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that movement therapy program has decreased the depression score in the elderly women.   Keywords: Depression, Movement therapy, Elderly women.