Development and evaluation of a video exercise program for locomotive syndrome in the elderly

OBJECTIVES: To develop and evaluate an exercise program that the elderly could sustainably perform in the community or at home to recover from locomotive syndrome. METHODS: We produced 2 types of teaching media, video and pamphlet, describing 10 physical and mobility training exercises. The pilot study examined changes in pulse rate, percutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO₂), and the Borg scale rating of perceived exertion in 20 elderly volunteers. Separately, 120 elderly subjects were recruited and divided into 3 groups according to the teaching medium (video, group V; pamphlet, group P; none, group C). Before and 3 months after the intervention, visual analog scale (VAS) scores of low back and knee pain, single-leg standing time, 6-m walking time, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, Oswestry Disability Index, Short Form-8, and 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale were evaluated. RESULTS: Pulse-rate changes before and after exercise did not exceed 20 %, and SpO₂ changes were within 4 points in all cases. The Borg scale ranged between 11 and 14. The intergroup comparison revealed the advantage of the video program in improving the VAS of low back pain, left-leg standing time, and 6-m walking time. CONCLUSION: A video exercise program can potentially aid recovery from locomotive syndrome in the elderly.