Qigong programme among community-dwelling older adults at risk of depression: A randomised controlled study

Study objective. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of a Physical Activity Intervention for Loneliness (PAIL) in community-dwelling older adults at risk of loneliness. Methods. Study design was a 12-week randomized controlled feasibility trial (RCT). Participants were 25 (mean age 68.5(8.05) years, range 60-92) healthy, inactive, community-dwelling older adults at risk for loneliness. The intervention consisted of group outdoor walking sessions with health education workshops once weekly, with a wait-list control condition. Estimation of recruitment, retention and adherence were feasibility outcomes. Body mass index, blood pressure, physical activity, and psychosocial variables were secondary outcomes. Results. Forty-eight participants were recruited over 4 months with a recruitment rate of 52.1% (25/48); 52% (25/48) met the inclusion criteria and 100% (25/25) were randomized into the intervention (N=12) and wait-listed (WL) control groups (N=13). At 12 weeks, 10/12 (83.3%; 95% CI 55.20 to 95.30) intervention and 10/13 (76.9%; 95% CI 49.74 to 91.82) control participants completed final assessments. The average attendance rate was 69.2% for the intervention group (range 25% – 91.7%) and 55% (range 25% – 91.7%) among controls. The a priori recruitment criteria for progression was not met. The retention rate satisfied the criteria of the study. No serious adverse events occurred. Conclusions. Community-dwelling older adults at risk of loneliness can safely participate in physical activity intervention for loneliness. However, to progress into a large-scale RCT, the design and methodology would need to be changed.

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Balance and functional fitness benefits of a Thai boxing dance program among community-dwelling older adults at risk of falling: A randomized controlled study

Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics ◽

10.1016/j.archger.2019.04.010 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 83 ◽

pp. 231-238

Author(s):

Pattanasin Areeudomwong ◽

Saranrat Saysalum ◽

Nopchaluk Phuttanurattana ◽

Pradthana Sripoom ◽

Vitsarut Buttagat ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

At Risk ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Randomized Controlled Study ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Functional Fitness ◽

Risk Of Falling ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Fitness Benefits ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

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Investigating the feasibility and acceptability of the HOLOBalance system compared with standard care in older adults at risk for falls: study protocol for an assessor blinded pilot randomised controlled study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039254 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. e039254

Author(s):

Matthew Liston ◽

Gregory Genna ◽

Christoph Maurer ◽

Dimitris Kikidis ◽

Dimitris Gatsios ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

At Risk ◽

Exercise Programme ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Home Exercise ◽

Proof Of Concept ◽

Concept Study ◽

Home Exercise Programme ◽

Randomised Controlled

IntroductionApproximately one in three of all older adults fall each year, with wide ranging physical, psychosocial and healthcare-related consequences. Exercise-based interventions are the cornerstone for falls prevention programmes, yet these are not consistently provided, do not routinely address all components of the balance system and are often not well attended. The HOLOBalance system provides an evidence-based balance training programme delivered to patients in their home environment using a novel technological approach including an augmented reality virtual physiotherapist, exergames and a remote monitoring system. The aims of this proof-of-concept study are to (1) determine the safety, acceptability and feasibility of providing HOLOBalance to community dwelling older adults at risk for falls and (2) provide data to support sample size estimates for a future trial.MethodsA single (assessor) blinded pilot randomised controlled proof of concept study. 120 participants will be randomised to receive an 8-week home exercise programme consisting of either: (1) HOLOBalance or (2) The OTAGO Home Exercise Programme. Participants will be required to complete their exercise programme independently under the supervision of a physiotherapist. Participants will have weekly telephone contact with their physiotherapist, and will receive home visits at weeks 0, 3 and 6. Outcome measures of safety, acceptability and feasibility, clinical measures of balance function, disability, balance confidence and cognitive function will be assessed before and immediately after the 8 week intervention. Acceptability and feasibility will be explored using descriptive statistics, and trends for effectiveness will be explored using general linear model analysis of variance.Ethics and disseminationThis study has received institutional ethical approvals in Germany (reference: 265/19), Greece (reference: 9769/24-6-2019) and the UK (reference: 19/LO/1908). Findings from this study will be submitted for peer-reviewed publications.Trial registration numberNCT04053829.Protocol versionV.2, 20 January 2020

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Effectiveness of Community-Delivered Functional Power Training Program for Frail and Pre-frail Community-Dwelling Older Adults: a Randomized Controlled Study

Prevention Science ◽

10.1007/s11121-021-01221-y ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nien Xiang Tou ◽

Shiou-Liang Wee ◽

Wei Ting Seah ◽

Daniella Hui Min Ng ◽

Benedict Wei Jun Pang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Muscle Strength ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Power Training ◽

Frail Older Adults ◽

Frailty Status ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

AbstractTranslation of community-based functional training for older adults to reduce frailty is still lacking. We evaluated the effectiveness and implementation of a community-delivered group-based functional power training (FPT) program for frail older adults within their neighborhoods. A two-arm, multicenter assessor-blind stratified randomized controlled trial was conducted at four local senior activity centers in Singapore. Sixty-one community-dwelling older adults with low handgrip strength were randomized to intervention (IG) or control (CG) group. The IG underwent the FPT program (power and balance exercises using simple equipment) delivered by a community service provider. The 12-week program comprised 2 × 60 min sessions/week. CG continued usual activities at the centers. Functional performance, muscle strength, and frailty status were assessed at baseline and 3 months. Program implementation was evaluated using RE-AIM framework. The program was halted due to Coronavirus Disease 2019-related suspension of senior center activities. Results are reported from four centers, which completed the program. IG showed significantly greater improvement in the Short Physical Performance Battery test as compared to CG (p = 0.047). No effects were found for timed up and go test performance, muscle strength, and frailty status. The community program exhibited good reach, effectiveness, adoption, and implementation. Our study demonstrated that FPT was associated with greater improvement in physical function in pre-frail/frail participants as compared to exercise activities offered at local senior activity centers. It is a feasible intervention that can be successfully implemented for frail older adults in their neighborhoods. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04438876. Registered 19 June 2020–retrospectively registered.

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Comparison of Lateral Perturbation-Induced Step Training and Hip Muscle Strengthening Exercise on Balance and Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

The Journals of Gerontology Series A ◽

10.1093/gerona/glab017 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mark W Rogers ◽

Robert A Creath ◽

Vicki Gray ◽

Janice Abarro ◽

Sandy McCombe Waller ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Step Length ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Balance Performance ◽

Muscle Strengthening ◽

Hip Muscle ◽

Hip Abduction ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Background This factorial, assessor-blinded, randomized, and controlled study compared the effects of perturbation-induced step training (lateral waist-pulls), hip muscle strengthening, and their combination, on balance performance, muscle strength, and prospective falls among older adults. Methods Community-dwelling older adults were randomized to 4 training groups. Induced step training (IST, n = 25) involved 43 progressive perturbations. Hip abduction strengthening (HST, n = 25) utilized progressive resistance exercises. Combined training (CMB, n = 25) included IST and HST, and the control performed seated flexibility/relaxation exercises (SFR, n = 27). The training involved 36 sessions for a period of 12 weeks. The primary outcomes were the number of recovery steps and first step length, and maximum hip abduction torque. Fall frequency during 12 months after training was determined. Results Overall, the number of recovery steps was reduced by 31% and depended upon the first step type. IST and CMB increased the rate of more stable single lateral steps pre- and post-training than HST and SFR who used more multiple crossover and sequential steps. The improved rate of lateral steps for CMB exceeded the control (CMB/SFR rate ratio 2.68). First step length was unchanged, and HST alone increased hip torque by 25%. Relative to SFR, the fall rate ratios (falls/person/year) [95% confidence interval] were CMB 0.26 [0.07–0.90], IST 0.44 [0.18–1.08], and HST 0.30 (0.10–0.91). Conclusions Balance performance through stepping was best improved by combining perturbation and strength training and not strengthening alone. The interventions reduced future falls by 56%–74% over the control. Lateral balance perturbation training may enhance traditional programs for fall prevention.

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