Effects of Integrating Wearable Activity Trackers With a Home-Based Multicomponent Exercise Intervention on...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Digital Health

Background:

• Older adults with a history of falls face challenges in group exercise participation.
• Wearable activity trackers offer potential for home-based exercise by enabling continuous monitoring and feedback.
• Technological integration can support physical activity adherence in geriatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of integrating wearable activity trackers with home-based exercise for reducing fear of falling and enhancing physical function in older adults.
• To compare a combined activity tracker and exercise intervention (AT+EX) against an activity tracker-only group (AT-only).

Main Methods:

• A 12-week randomized controlled trial with 30 older adults (≥60 years) with a history of falls.
• Participants were assigned to either AT+EX (tracker + home exercise + feedback) or AT-only (tracker for self-monitoring).
• Outcomes included fear of falling (ABC, FES-I), depression, cognition, physical function (SPPB, TUG, 2-Minute Step Test), and body composition.

Main Results:

• Both groups showed significant improvements in fear of falling (FES-I) and physical function (TUG test).
• The AT+EX group demonstrated significant improvements in fear of falling (ABC, FES-I) and physical function (SPPB, TUG, 2-Minute Step Test).
• No significant differences were found between groups for primary outcomes, despite both maintaining daily step counts.

Conclusions:

• Wearable technology, with or without a structured exercise intervention, effectively reduces fear of falling in older adults.
• Both approaches improved physical function, particularly the Timed Up and Go test, indicating enhanced mobility.
• Activity trackers are a viable tool for supporting fall prevention strategies in older adults, irrespective of concurrent exercise programs.