scholarly journals LONELINESS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN OLDER AGE: RESULTS OF THE RANDOMISED CONTROLLED STUDY OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INTERVENTION FOR LONELINESS (PAIL) IN COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 99-107
Author(s):  
Anastasia Shvedko
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Retention Rate ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Feasibility Trial ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

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.

A Web-based versus a Print-based Physical Activity Intervention for Community-dwelling Older Adults: Randomized Trial With a Cross-over Design (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Pischke ◽  
Claudia Voelcker-Rehage ◽  
Tiara Ratz ◽  
Manuela Peters ◽  
Christoph Buck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Randomized Trial ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Group Sessions ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

BACKGROUND Despite the crucial role of regular physical activity (PA) for preventing chronic non-communicable diseases, fewer than half of older adults in Germany engage in the recommended levels of endurance training. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare acceptance and effectiveness of two interventions (web- vs. print-based) for PA promotion among initially inactive community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years and above in a nine-month randomized trial with a cross-over design. METHODS Participants were recruited offline and randomized to one of the following interventions for self-monitoring PA: (a) a print-based intervention (PRINT n=113), (b) a web-based intervention (WEB, n=129). Thirty percent (n=38) of those in group (b) received a PA tracker in addition to WEB (WEB+, (c)). After randomization, participants and researchers were not blinded. Participants’ intervention preferences at baseline were assessed retrospectively. All intervention groups were offered ten weekly face-to-face group sessions led by trained assistants. Afterwards, participants could choose to stay in their group or cross over to one of the other groups and group sessions were continued monthly for another six months. Three-dimensional accelerometers to assess PA and sedentary behavior (SB) at baseline (T0), three-month (T1) and nine-month follow-ups (T2) were employed. Adherence to PA recommendations, attendance of group sessions, and acceptance of the interventions were assessed via self-administered paper-based questionnaires. Linear mixed models were used to calculate differences in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and SB between time points and intervention groups. RESULTS One-hundred and ninety-five participants completed T1. Only n=1 changed from WEB to PRINT and n=15 moved from PRINT to WEB (WEB-WEB: n=103, PRINT-PRINT: n=76) when offered to cross over at T1. One-hundred and sixty participants completed T2. MVPA in min per day increased between baseline and T1, but these within-group changes in time disappeared after adjusting for covariates. MVPA decreased by 9 min per day between baseline and T2 (βtime = -9.37, 95% CI: [-18.58; -0.16]), regardless of intervention group (WEB vs. PRINT: βgroup*time = -3.76, 95% CI: [-13.33; 5.82], WEB+ vs. PRINT: βgroup*time = 1.40, 95% CI: [-11.04; 13.83]). Nineteen percent of the participants met PA recommendations at T0, 20% at T1, and 20% at T2. For SB, there were no significant group differences and group-by-time interactions, neither at T1 nor at T2. Intervention acceptance was generally high. Use of intervention material was high to moderate at T1 (e.g., the PA diary was used by over 65% at least once a week) and decreased by T2 (40-50% in PRINT and in WEB used the PA diary at least once a week, and 58% in WEB+). CONCLUSIONS Despite high levels of acceptance of web- and print-based interventions for PA promotion and little movement between groups at T1, when given the choice, participation was not associated with increases in PA or decreases in SB over time. CLINICALTRIAL German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00016073 (Date of registration 10–01-2019).

Use of Clinical and Impairment-Based Tests to Predict Falls by Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 328-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lois K Boulgarides ◽  
Susan M McGinty ◽  
Jayne A Willett ◽  
Carole W Barnes
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Physical Activity Level ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Balance Tests ◽  
Speed Accuracy ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Background and Purpose. Few tests have been found to be strongly predictive of falls in community-dwelling older adults. The purpose of this study was to determine whether data from 5 balance tests—combined with data regarding fall history, number of medications, dizziness, visual problems, use of an assistive device, physical activity level, sex, and age—could predict falls in community-dwelling older adults who were independent. Subjects. Ninety-nine community-dwelling older adults aged 65 to 90 years (X̄= 74.02, SD=5.64) were tested. Methods. Subjects were tracked for falls over a 1-year period following testing. Impairment-based tests, which are tests that attempt to specifically identify which sensory systems are impaired or how motor control is impaired (eg, speed, accuracy of movement), were the Modified Clinical Tests of Sensory Interaction for Balance (Modified CTSIB) and the 100% Limits of Stability Test, both of which were done on the Balance Master 6.1. Performance-based tests, which are functional tests that identify functional limitations without necessarily identifying their causes, were the Berg Balance Scale, the Timed “Up & Go” Test, and the Dynamic Gait Index. Demographic and health data included age, sex, number of medications, physical activity level, presence of dizziness, vision problems, and history of falls over the previous year. Logistic regression was used to determine which combinations of data from balance tests, demographics, and health factors were predictive of falls. Results. Two models—(1) the “standing on a firm surface with eyes closed” (FEC) condition of the Modified CTSIB and (2) the FEC combined with age and sex—were predictive of falls, but predicted only 1 and 2 subjects who were at risk for falling, respectively, out of 20 people who were at risk for falling. Discussion and Conclusion. Five balance tests combined with health and demographic factors did not predict falls in a sample of community-dwelling older adults who were active and independent.

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