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Effectiveness of a group exercise program in a long-term care facility: a randomized pilot trial
Elizabeth E Baum1, David Jarjoura, Ann E Polen
1Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Affiliated Hospitals at Canton, Canton, Ohio, USA.
Journal of the American Medical Directors Association
|June 17, 2003
Summary
A strength and flexibility program significantly improved physical and cognitive function in frail elderly residents of a long-term care facility. This low-cost intervention demonstrated clear benefits for participants, enhancing their overall well-being.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and Rehabilitation Science
- Geriatric Exercise Physiology
- Long-Term Care Facility Interventions
Background:
- Frail elderly individuals in long-term care facilities often experience functional decline.
- Optimizing physical and cognitive function is crucial for maintaining independence and quality of life in this population.
- Evidence-based exercise programs are needed to address the unique needs of long-term care residents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a strength and flexibility program for frail long-term care residents.
- To determine if the program leads to significant improvements in physical and cognitive function.
- To pilot a feasible and beneficial intervention within a long-term care setting.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, randomized, controlled, semicrossover trial involving 20 frail residents (aged 75-99) in a long-term care facility.
- Intervention group (EX) participated in 1-hour exercise sessions three times weekly for 1 year; control group (C) received recreational therapy for 6 months before crossing over to exercise.
- Functional outcomes measured using Timed Get-Up-And-Go (TUG), Berg Balance Scale, Physical Performance Test (PPT), and Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) at baseline and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.
Main Results:
- The exercise intervention demonstrated a significant overall positive impact across all four functional measures (P = 0.013).
- Exercise decreased TUG by 18 seconds (effect size=0.50), increased PPT scores by 1.3 (effect size=0.40), Berg scores by 4.8 (effect size=0.32), and MMSE by 3.1 (effect size=0.54).
- Ninety percent confidence intervals for exercise effects excluded zero for TUG, PPT, and MMSE, indicating statistically significant improvements.
Conclusions:
- Frail elderly residents in long-term care facilities can successfully participate in and benefit from a strength training program.
- The program, utilizing low-cost equipment and delivered by an exercise physiologist and facility staff, proved effective.
- This strength and flexibility program offers significant recreational and therapeutic advantages for long-term care residents.