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Effects of a group-based exercise program on functional abilities in frail older women after hospital discharge

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Abstract

Background and aims: An acute illness may place older frail people at increased risk of losing independence in functional abilities. Physical exercise may reduce the risk by improving muscle strength and balance. However, the effects of physical training on functional abilities have not been studied among frail, very old people recovering from an acute illness. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a group-based exercise program on their ability to carry out self-care (ADL) and instrumental activities (IADL) relevant to daily life after discharge from hospital. Methods: This randomized controlled trial examined 68 community-dwelling women aged 75 years or older (mean age 83.0, SD 3.9) who were hospitalized due to an acute illness, and were mobility-impaired at admission. Participants were recruited from the geriatric ward of a primary-care health-center hospital, and were randomized into group-based strength training (n=34) and control (n=34) groups. The 10-week group-based intervention included strength training and functional exercises. The control group received instructions for a home exercise training program, including functional exercises but no further encouragement to exercise. The level of independence in ADL and IADL was evaluated, using a 13-item scale with stepwise grading from fully independent to fully dependent. Measurements took place immediately before and after the intervention, and three and nine months later. Results: The intervention did not have any significant main effect (p=0.407), nor was there any significant interaction between follow-up time and intervention (p=0.854). Conclusions: The multi-component outpatient strength training program did not improve autonomy in expert-evaluated ADL/IADL functions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Center of the City of Joensuu, FIN-80130, Joensuu, Finland

    Leena Timonen MD

  2. Department of Health Sciences University of Jyväskylä, Finnish Center for Interdisciplinary Gerontology, Finland

    Taina Rantanen & Timo Törmäkangas

  3. National Research and Development Center for Welfare and Health, Unit on Ageing and Services, Finland

    Erkki Mäkinen

  4. Department of Psychology, University of Joensuu, Clinical Research and Rehabilitation Unit, Honkalampi-Foundation, Finland

    Tero E. Timonen

  5. Department of Public Health and General Practice, University of Kuopio, and Rheumatism Foundation Hospital, Heinola, Finland

    Raimo Sulkava

Authors
  1. Leena Timonen MD
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  2. Taina Rantanen
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  3. Erkki Mäkinen
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  4. Tero E. Timonen
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  5. Timo Törmäkangas
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  6. Raimo Sulkava
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Correspondence to Leena Timonen MD.

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Timonen, L., Rantanen, T., Mäkinen, E. et al. Effects of a group-based exercise program on functional abilities in frail older women after hospital discharge. Aging Clin Exp Res 18, 50–56 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03324640

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03324640

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