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Feasibility of an at-home, web-based, interactive exercise program for older adults
Nicole C Feng1, Eliza Ryan1, Mhretab Kidane2
1Department of Neurology, Center for Brain/Mind Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Hale Building for Transformative Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
Alzheimer'S & Dementia (New York, N. Y.)
|December 5, 2019
Summary
Home-based exercise programs can improve physical activity and brain health. A self-controlled physical exercise (PACE-Yourself) program adapted to individual feedback demonstrated feasibility and increased exercise intensity in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Exercise Science
- Cognitive Health
Background:
- Physical exercise is associated with improved brain health and reduced dementia risk.
- Traditional exercise interventions are often facility-based, limiting scalability and accessibility.
- Home-based programs are needed to enhance exercise adherence and engagement in older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of a home-based, self-controlled physical exercise program.
- To evaluate the impact of a personalized exercise program on physical activity levels.
- To compare a home-based exercise intervention with other cognitive and mindfulness programs.
Main Methods:
- 156 healthy older adults (mean age 73.2) were randomized to four interventions, including the PACE-Yourself program.
- The PACE-Yourself program involved home-based aerobic exercise with adjustable pace and intensity (P&I) based on real-time participant feedback.
- Interventions were delivered over five weeks, approximately 175 minutes per week, using interactive web-based software.
Main Results:
- High program completion rates were observed across all groups (86% for PACE-Yourself).
- The PACE-Yourself group showed increased exercise intensity over time.
- Adherence in the PACE-Yourself group was 93%, slightly lower than other interventions (∼98%).
- Completed exercise sessions positively predicted increases in self-reported physical activity.
Conclusions:
- Home-based, subject-controlled exercise programs are feasible for older adults.
- Real-time feedback for adjusting pace and intensity may enhance self-efficacy.
- Further research is required to confirm long-term effects and generalizability to diverse populations.