The depressive status was screened with Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) by general practitioner among elderly residents in Shanghai Kongjiang community during August to October 2016. A total 324 patients were identified as mild-moderate depression (PHQ-9 score 5 to 14) and were randomly divided into the intervention group and the control group with 162 cases in each group. The control group only received regular health education, and the intervention group participated in happy-club activities on the basis of regular health education.A follow-up evaluation of depression status was conducted with PHQ-9 and the quality of life was assessed with 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) during the following up.At the end of the intervention, the follow-up evaluation showed that the PHQ-9 score of the intervention group was significantly lower than that of the control group [(7.95±2.41) vs. (8.94±2.38),t=3.643,P<0.01]. Twelve weeks after the intervention, the PHQ-9 score of the intervention group was significantly lower than that of the control group [(6.44±2.27)vs.(8.92±2.76),t=7.734,P<0.01], the SF-12 MCS score [(49.74±8.80)vs. (47.71±6.77),t=2.001,P=0.04] and the exercise frequency of the intervention group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.01). Compared with the baseline, the PHQ-9 score at the end of the intervention and 12 weeks after the intervention significantly decreased, and the SF-12 MCS score at 12 weeks after the intervention increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with the score at the end of intervention, the PHQ-9 score at the 12 weeks after intervention was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Happy-club activities can significantly improve the depression symptoms and the quality of life of the elderly with mild or moderate depression, and promote them to participate in healthy exercise. However, the long efficacy of happy-club activities still need to be studied further.

Elderly; Depressive symptoms; Quality of life; Happy-club activity