Is exercise effective in promoting mental well-being?
Introduction: Mental health promotion for older people has been a neglected area. This paper examines the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of exercise and physical activity interventions on the mental well-being of people aged 65+. Methods: a systematic review, meta-analysis and economic model were developed. Reports/papers published in English were identified by searching data bases, websites and references lists of other reviews. Eligible studies were those with a comparison or control group or offering qualitative evidence; exercise and physical activity interventions for people aged 65 and over living at home, in the community, in supported housing or in residential care homes; including outcome measures of mental well-being, not simply measures of depression or anxiety. Low quality studies were excluded from the data synthesis. Results: 13 robust papers, including one qualitative paper and one cost effectiveness paper of were included. An overall effect of combined exercise on
