scholarly journals Effective, sustainable, and transferable physical exercise interventions for fall prevention among older people

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daiana Campani ◽  
Silvia Caristia ◽  
Alex Amariglio ◽  
Silvia Piscone ◽  
Lidya Irene Ferrara ◽  
...  
2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (8) ◽  
pp. 3945-3953 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emelie Karlsson ◽  
Oili Dahl ◽  
Elisabeth Rydwik ◽  
Malin Nygren-Bonnier ◽  
Mia Bergenmar

Abstract Purpose Time for preoperative optimisation prior to colorectal cancer surgery is limited and older people tend to decline exercise interventions. This study sought to describe attitudes towards, and perceptions of, preoperative physical activity and exercise in older people prior to colorectal cancer surgery. Methods This is a qualitative interview study, analysed with inductive content analysis. Seventeen participants scheduled for colorectal surgery were recruited as a purposeful sample from two hospitals in Stockholm, Sweden. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted, face-to-face (n = 8) or by telephone (n = 9). Results Nine participants were male, median age was 75 years (range 70–91). The theme, ‘a gap between awareness and action’, was identified based on two main categories: ‘Attitudes towards preoperative physical exercise have a multifactorial base’ and ‘Preoperative physical exercise is possible with a push in the right direction’. The material described a gap between awareness of the benefits of physical activity and reports of performing physical activity. The reasons for the gap between thoughts and action in this respect seem to be multifactorial. Support from others emerged as an important possibility for overcoming the gap. Conclusions A gap between the patients’ awareness and action appeared in our material. Understanding this can guide healthcare professionals (HCPs) as to the support needed preoperatively. Advice on physical exercise before surgery should be specific, and individually tailored support for action should be offered. This support should also consider the individual’s current physical activity and preoperative attitude towards physical exercise.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 235-235
Author(s):  
Wytske Meekes ◽  
C J Leemrijse ◽  
J C Korevaar ◽  
L A M van de Goor

Abstract Falls are an important health threat among frail older people. Physicians are often the first to contact for health issues and can be seen as designated professionals to provide fall prevention. However, it is unknown what they exactly do and why regarding fall prevention. This study aims to describe what physicians in the Netherlands do during daily practice in regards to fall prevention. About 65 physicians (34 practices) located throughout the Netherlands were followed up for 12 months. When a physician entered specific ICPC-codes related to frailty and falls in the Hospital Information System, the physician received a pop-up asking if the patient is frail. If so, the physician subsequently completed a questionnaire. The physicians completed 1396 questionnaires. More than half (n=726) of the patients had experienced a fall in the previous year and/or had a fear of falling (FOF) and 37% of these patients received fall prevention. Physicians did not know of 20% of the patients if they had experienced a fall and of 29% of the patients if they had a FOF. The three most often treated underlying causes were mobility problems, FOF and cardiovascular risk factors. The results show that physicians are not always aware of a patient’s fall history and/or FOF and that only part of these patients receives fall prevention. Hence, it might be important to develop and implement strategies for systematic fall risk screening and fall prevention provision in the primary care setting to reduce falls among frail older people.


Author(s):  
Gordon Tao ◽  
Bernie Garrett ◽  
Tarnia Taverner ◽  
Elliott Cordingley ◽  
Crystal Sun

Abstract Background High quality head-mounted display based virtual reality (HMD-VR) has become widely available, spurring greater development of HMD-VR health games. As a behavior change approach, these applications use HMD-VR and game-based formats to support long-term engagement with therapeutic interventions. While the bulk of research to date has primarily focused on the therapeutic efficacy of particular HMD-VR health games, how developers and researchers incorporate best-practices in game design to achieve engaging experiences remains underexplored. This paper presents the findings of a narrative review exploring the trends and future directions of game design for HMD-VR health games. Methods We searched the literature on the intersection between HMD-VR, games, and health in databases including MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Compendex. We identified articles describing HMD-VR games designed specifically as health applications from 2015 onwards in English. HMD-VR health games were charted and tabulated according to technology, health context, outcomes, and user engagement in game design. Findings We identified 29 HMD-VR health games from 2015 to 2020, with the majority addressing health contexts related to physical exercise, motor rehabilitation, and pain. These games typically involved obstacle-based challenges and extrinsic reward systems to engage clients in interventions related to physical functioning and pain. Less common were games emphasizing narrative experiences and non-physical exercise interventions. However, discourse regarding game design was diverse and often lacked sufficient detail. Game experience was evaluated using primarily ad-hoc questionnaires. User engagement in the development of HMD-VR health games primarily manifested as user studies. Conclusion HMD-VR health games are promising tools for engaging clients in highly immersive experiences designed to address diverse health contexts. However, more in-depth and structured attention to how HMD-VR health games are designed as game experiences is needed. Future development of HMD-VR health games may also benefit from greater involvement of end-users in participatory approaches.


2014 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 134
Author(s):  
Maria Giné-Garriga ◽  
Marta Roqué-Fíguls ◽  
Laura Coll-Planas ◽  
Mercè Sitjà-Rabert ◽  
Carme Martin-Borràs

Gerontology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 590-598 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Dockx ◽  
Lisa Alcock ◽  
Esther Bekkers ◽  
Pieter Ginis ◽  
Miriam Reelick ◽  
...  

Background: Virtual reality (VR) technology is a relatively new rehabilitation tool that can deliver a combination of cognitive and motor training for fall prevention. The attitudes of older people to such training are currently unclear. Objective: This study aimed to investigate: (1) the attitudes of fall-prone older people towards fall prevention exercise with and without VR; (2) attitudinal changes after intervention with and without VR; and (3) user satisfaction following fall prevention exercise with and without VR. Methods: A total of 281 fall-prone older people were randomly assigned to an experimental group receiving treadmill training augmented by VR (TT+VR, n = 144) or a control group receiving treadmill training alone (TT, n = 137). Two questionnaires were used to measure (1) attitudes towards fall prevention exercise with and without VR (AQ); and (2) user satisfaction (USQ). AQ was evaluated at baseline and after intervention. USQ was measured after intervention only. Results: The AQ revealed that most participants had positive attitudes towards fall prevention exercise at baseline (82.2%) and after intervention (80.6%; p = 0.144). In contrast, only 53.6% were enthusiastic about fall prevention exercise with VR at baseline. These attitudes positively changed after intervention (83.1%; p < 0.001), and 99.2% indicated that they enjoyed TT+VR. Correlation analyses showed that postintervention attitudes were strongly related to user satisfaction (USQ: r = 0.503; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Older people's attitudes towards fall prevention exercise with VR were positively influenced by their experience. From the perspective of the user, VR is an attractive training mode, and thus improving service provision for older people is important.


2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 78
Author(s):  
Leonardo Campos ◽  
Priscila Nakamura ◽  
Eduardo Kokubun

The objective was to investigate the influence of two types of physical exercise intervention on elderly individuals’ physical fitness. The study included 17 older adults with a mean age of 65.8 years (± 2.88), divided into two groups: Programa de Exercícios Físicos em Unidades de Saúde (PEFUS – Physical Exercise Program in Health Units, n = 8) and Adapted Volleyball (n = 9). PEFUS classes were held three times a week and lasted 90 minutes, including strength, aerobic endurance, agility, coordination and balance exercises. Adapted Volleyball classes were performed two times per week and lasted 120 minutes, divided into skill volleyball exercises and game. For the evaluation of physical skills (strength, agility, coordination and flexibility), the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) set of tests was performed. All participants were assessed at the baseline and after three months of interventions. Statistical analysis was performed using factorial ANOVA through SPSS, version 17.0, and a significance level p <0.05. Motor coordination showed significant improvements after three months of interventions, decreasing from 11.7 ± 2.3 to 10.1 ± 1.6 seconds for Adapted Volleyball and from 15.8 ± 3.3 to 12.0 ± 3.5 seconds for PEFUS (p <0.05). Regarding strength endurance, there was a group-moment interaction (p <0.05) and the PEFUS group showed an increase in this variable after intervention. The interventions are beneficial to the physical fitness of elderly individuals, because they increase or maintain such fitness after these interventions. 


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