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Effects of interventions on physical activity in nursing home residents

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Abstract

The aim of this review was to evaluate current evidence regarding the effects of interventions on physical activity in the subgroup of nursing home residents as well as to critically review the assessment methods used in this regard. Published studies through January 2015 were searched in The Cochrane Library, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Knowledge, PsycInfo, Psyndex, Psycarticles, CC Med, and DissOnline; and by manual search. For randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to be included, an intervention had to be conducted with nursing home residents aged 65 years and above and physical activity had to be assessed using standardized, quantitative methods. Study quality was evaluated using an established Cochrane rating tool for RCTs. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Only one intervention study with main focus on a modification of physical activity behavior could be identified. Physical activity assessments used in the studies were partly limited regarding objectivity or psychometric quality. Hence, the documentation of effects of interventions is restricted. Six studies reported significant increases of physical activity in nursing home residents and thus positive intervention effects, which points at the feasibility and high potential of intervention programs to promote physical activity in this setting. Enhanced individual contact as well as physical exercise combined with behavioral interventions and the inclusion of nursing staff seems to be most effective in this regard. As only one study involved post-intervention follow-up assessments, sustainability of effects remained unclear.

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Acknowledgments

This work is part of the ongoing project “INNOVAGE - Social Innovations Promoting Active and Healthy Ageing” and its subproject, “Long-term Care in Motion,” funded by the European Commission (Health-F3-2012-306058). We thank the European Commission for their support. The content of the manuscript does not represent the opinion of the European Community and the Community is not responsible for incidental use.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychological Aging Research, Institute of Psychology, Heidelberg University, Bergheimer Str. 20, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany

    Carl-Philipp Jansen, Katrin Claßen & Hans-Werner Wahl

  2. Department of Geriatric Research, Agaplesion Bethanien Hospital, Geriatric Center at Heidelberg University, Rohrbacher Str. 149, 69126, Heidelberg, Germany

    Klaus Hauer

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  1. Carl-Philipp Jansen
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  2. Katrin Claßen
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  3. Hans-Werner Wahl
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  4. Klaus Hauer
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Correspondence to Carl-Philipp Jansen.

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Responsible editor: D. J. H. Deeg.

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Jansen, CP., Claßen, K., Wahl, HW. et al. Effects of interventions on physical activity in nursing home residents. Eur J Ageing 12, 261–271 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-015-0344-1

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