gms | German Medical Science

51. Kongress für Allgemeinmedizin und Familienmedizin

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Allgemeinmedizin und Familienmedizin (DEGAM)

21.09. - 23.09.2017, Düsseldorf

Prevention by Outdoor-Walking in the Elderly at Risk (POWER)

Meeting Abstract

  • N. Jegan - Philipps-Universität Marburg, Allgemeinmedizin, Präventive und Rehabilitative Medizin, Marburg, Deutschland
  • E. Freiberger - Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Insitut für Biomedizin des Alterns, Nürnberg, Deutschland
  • C. Sieber - Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Insitut für Biomedizin des Alterns, Nürnberg, Deutschland
  • A. Sönnichsen - Universität Witten/Herdecke, Insitut für Allgemeinmedizin und Familienmedizin, Witten, Deutschland
  • N. Donner-Banzhoff - Philipps-Universität Marburg, Allgemeinmedizin, Präventive und Rehabilitative Medizin, Marburg, Deutschland

51. Kongress für Allgemeinmedizin und Familienmedizin. Düsseldorf, 21.-23.09.2017. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2017. Doc17degam145

doi: 10.3205/17degam145, urn:nbn:de:0183-17degam1458

Published: September 5, 2017

© 2017 Jegan et al.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. See license information at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.


Outline

Text

Background: Regular physical activity is essential to prevent the exacerbation and development of chronic diseases. The WHO recommends at least 2.5 hours per week. Only 73% of German women and 66% of men above 65 meet that recommendation. Despite previous efforts less than 14% of all people above 70 years are sufficiently active. Studies so far have shown that interventions aimed at promoting regular physical activity improve older persons’ health. However, these interventions were complex and required professional input thus transfer into regular care was limited. A low-theshold intervention such as lay-assisted outdoor walking has not been adequatly tested before.

Question: Does regular outdoor walking accompanied by trained lay persons lead to better physical function in the elderly?

Method: Multicentric RCT (n=348): Recruitment in primary care, outpatient nursing services (Marburg) and nursing homes (Witten/Herdecke). Inclusion ≥ 65 years with reduced physical function and without caregiver support to provide acitvity akin to intervention. 6 Months of intervention: lay-helper accompanied walking 3 times a week. Lay-helpers will be trained and supported by a mentoring program. Controls: 2 events with health-related topics. Quantitative evaluation: baseline, post-intervention and after a follow-up of 6 months as well as focus groups. Primary outcome: physical function (Short Physical Performance Battery). Secondary outcomes: Quality of life, fear of falling, physical activity, number of falls and injuries, healthcare utilization.

Results: The project will start in September 2017, results are to be expected in 2020.

Discussion: The intervention could fill a gap in existing care and improve health and quality of life in the elderly.