Abstract: Objective To explore the effects of moderate intensity aerobic exercise on elderly patients with mild to moderate post-stroke depression. Methods From May 2022 to May 2024, 90 elderly patients with post-stroke depression were recruited in Department of Rehabilitation of Jiangsu Province Official Hospital, and were randomly divided into control group(n=30), drug group(n=30) and aerobic exercise group(n=30) at a ratio of 1:1:1 by using Excel random number table method. The control group was given routine rehabilitation training, the drug group was given escitalopram combined with routine rehabilitation training, and the aerobic exercise group was given aerobic exercise combined with routine rehabilitation training. The intervention lasted for 4 weeks. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(HDRS-24), Self-rating Depression Scale(SDS) and Barthel index were evaluated before and after the intervention. Results Compared with those before intervention, the scores of HDRS-24 and SDS in the aerobic exercise group were decreased after intervention(P<0.05), while Barthel index was increased(P<0.05). Compared with those in the control group and the drug group, the scores of HDRS-24 and SDS in the aerobic exercise group were decreased after intervention(P<0.05), and Barthel index was increased(P<0.05). Conclusions Moderate intensity aerobic exercise can effectively improve the depressive symptoms and improve the quality of life of the elderly patients with mild to moderate post-stroke depression.

Key words: aerobic exercise, post-stroke depression, aged