[Functional physical condition after a multi-component community intervention of active aging: Pragmatic clinical...

The objective is to assess the effectiveness of a multicomponent program of active aging in the improvement of the functional physical condition of patients older than 65years old with social risk.

Pragmatic clinical trial non-blinded.

Community activity; primary care and public education center.

Patients older than 65years and diagnosed with social risk. The patients who attended at the health center and fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected consecutively (n=102).

The patients were randomized into the intervention group or to the control group. The intervention included two weekly sessions of 1h of exercise during 4months, monthly health education sessions, and three days of social activities. The control group received the regular tips. The physical conditions were evaluated before and at the end the study.

Eighty of the patients completed the study. Their middle age was 71.5±5 years old, and 91.3% of them were women. There was no significant differences between both groups. After the intervention, all the test for physical qualities improved in the intervention group; in the 6-minutes walk test the patients improved their mark in a 98% from the baseline marks, with an average increase of 65±35m. Flexibility improved in the 60% of the patients (95%CI: 50-70); strength increased an 84% (95%CI: 76-92), and dynamic balance increased a 79% (95%CI: 70-88). In control group improve some test marks but it had no statistical significance.

The socio-motor intervention program coordinated between health services and educational centers improves the functional physical condition of the elderly with social risk.