If you are depressed the switch to ‘exergames’ as U. S. researchers have found that using exergames, video games that combine game play with exercise, reduces depression in the elderly lot.

According to study leader Dr Dilip V. Jeste of the the University of California, San Diego, subsyndromal depression that is linked with an increased risk of the development of major depressive disorder, is more prevalent in elderly than depression and can also lead to substantial suffering, functional disability and using costly medical services.

He added that depression can be improved with physical activity but adults who meet the required levels of physical activity are less than 5 per cent.

About 19 participants who were 63-94 of age and had subsyndromal depression were made to play an exergame, baseball, bowling, tennis, golf, or boxing, on the Nintendo Wii video game system thrice a week for 35 minutes every time.

Jeste said, "More than one-third of the participants had a 50 per cent or greater reduction of depressive symptoms. Many had a significant improvement in their mental health-related quality of life and increased cognitive stimulation."