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Physical activity and successful aging
10th International EGREPA Conference

European Group for Research into Elderly and Physical Activity

14.09. - 16.09.2006 in Köln

Linking research, program development, policy and practice. An example of this link: an innovative physical activity program for disabled wheelchair-bound nursing home residents

Meeting Abstract

  • corresponding author R. Brown - Beit Rivka Geriatric Rehabilitation Center, Israel
  • A. Burstin - Zinman College, Wingate Institute, Israel
  • E. Argov - Zinman College, Wingate Institute, Israel
  • A. Dunsky - Beit Rivka Geriatric Rehabilitation Center, Israel
  • S.N. Heyman - Hadassah Hospital, Mt. Scopus and Hebrew University Medical School Jerusalem, Israel
  • N.B. Alexander - University of Michigan and VA Ann Arbor Health Care System GRECC, USA
  • M. Ben - Association for the Planning and Development of Services for the Aged ESHEL, Israel
  • Y. Netz - Zinman College, Wingate Institute, Israel

Physical activity and successful aging. Xth International EGREPA Conference. Cologne, 14.-16.09.2006. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2006. Doc06pasa082

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/pasa2006/06pasa082.shtml

Published: December 18, 2006

© 2006 Brown et al.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/deed.en). You are free: to Share – to copy, distribute and transmit the work, provided the original author and source are credited.


Outline

Text

Background

Maintaining stance facilitates daily functioning in disabled older adults.

Objectives

1.
Demonstrate the feasibility of an innovative program of group physical activity using a standing-support device (SSD), targeted towards transfer- and stance-disabled older adult residents of a nursing home.
2.
Assess the impact of this program in reducing physical impairment (primarily in muscle strength and joint range of motion) and improving overall functional performance.

Methods

Eight-week observational period, followed by twelve-week intervention of group physical activity performed while standing in a SSD. Participants were thirteen long term care residents, mean±SD age 82±11, range 57-102, unable to transfer or stand independently. Measurements included muscle strength, joint range of motion, forward and lateral reach, time to stand independently, distance walked with a walker, and the FIM (Functional Independence Measure).

Results

Compared to the observational period, significant post-intervention musculoskeletal improvements were noted particularly in lower extremity strength. Post-intervention improvements in the FIM were noted as well, particularly in sphincter control, locomotion, mobility, motor score, and total score. Over 60% of those previously requiring assistance in standing became able to stand unassisted for an average of one minute and walk an average of 14 meters with a walker.

Conclusion

A pilot program of physical activity using an SSD is feasible in selected stance-disabled older adult long term nursing home residents. Participants showed evidence of muscle strength and functional improvement. Future studies should consider a randomized controlled trial of the SSD device with careful targeting of residents and with a concurrent examination of health care costs, functional improvement, and staff burden.