Effect of Sunlight Exposure and Outdoor Activities on Improving the Depression, Cognition and Quality of Life of the Institutionalized Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Phase: NA
Conditions: Aging, Nursing Homes, Depression in Old Age, Cognitive Impairment, Quality of Life
Sponsor: Chiayi Christian Hospital

Effect of Sunlight Exposure and Outdoor Activities on Depression, 
Cognition and Quality of Life in the Elderly 
 
 
Date of the document: 10/02/2017 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Background: The transition to long-term care facility can be a 
stressful and emotional event for the elderly. The evidences showed 
that the prevalence of depression and the cognition impairment were 
higher in the institutionalized elderly than the community dwelling 
elderly. It could affect the quality of life of the elderly and increase 
risk of mortality.  
Purpose: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of outdoor 
activities and sunlight exposure on depression, cognitive function, and 
quality of life among institutionalized elderly. 
Method: The design is a randomized control trial. Participants will be 
randomly allocated to experimental or control groups by block 
randomization. In the experimental group, participants will be encouraged 
to reduce time spent on bed and bedroom. From 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, 
nurses, nurse aids or family will take participants outdoors and exposure 
their face, hands or arm to sunlight for 15-30 minutes a day, five days a 
week for three months (if the UV index is over 8 according to the forecast 
of Center Weather Bureau, the participants will be asked to stay inside). 
In the control group, the participants will receive routine care. They will 
neither be encouraged to stay outdoors nor limit the chance to exposure 
to sunlight. Depression (measured by GDS-15), cognition (measured 
by SPMSQ), and quality of life (measured by EQ-5D) will be 
measured at baseline and at 3 months. Data were analyzed using SPSS 
17.0 statistical software for all randomized participants. The Chi 
square test was used to test for homogeneity of demographic data 
between experimental and control group. Two-way ANOVA was used 
to test for differential changes in depression, cognitive function, and 
quality of life.   
Expected outcome: The expected benefit of the research is to improve 
the depression, cognitive function, and quality of life of the 
institutionalized elderly.