TITLE:
Is the Walking Campaign Effective for Depressive Symptoms?
AUTHORS:
Setsuko Taneichi, Fumiharu Togo, Tsukasa Sasaki
KEYWORDS:
Depressive Symptoms, 10, 000 Steps, Physical Activity, Walking, Walking Campaign
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Psychiatry,
Vol.4 No.4,
October
28,
2014
ABSTRACT: Aim: The aim of this study is to examine the effect of walking 10,000 steps per day on depressive symptoms for the company employees and their spouses in Japan. Method: Subjects were recruited from the participants of a walking campaign carried out by a Japanese company where the goal was to achieve 600,000 steps in 60 days. Among 221 subjects who participated in the campaign, 176 subjects (79.6%) agreed to participate in the present study. Sociodemographics and other information including depressive symptoms were assessed using a questionnaire. Result: Out of the 171 participants, 125 achieved the goal (73.1%). In the achiever’s group, the GHQ-12 score was significantly reduced at the end of the campaign compared with the non-achiever’s group. Exercise habit and the less overtime work (