Effectiveness of a home-based exercise program for improving upper limb function in community-dwelling older people:...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Rehabilitation Science
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Upper limb dysfunction and shoulder pain are prevalent health issues in older adults.
• Exercise is a common intervention for shoulder disorders.
• Community-dwelling individuals aged 65 and older are the focus population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of a home-based upper limb (UL) exercise program versus a lower limb (LL) exercise program on UL function in older adults.
• To assess secondary outcomes including shoulder strength, range of motion (ROM), quality of life (QOL), and physical activity.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 617 participants aged 65+.
• Intervention groups received either a home-based UL or LL exercise program, with initial group-based instruction.
• The primary outcome was UL function measured by the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire over 12 months.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant difference in UL function (DASH scores) was found between the UL and LL groups at 12 months.
• No significant between-group differences were observed in shoulder ROM, strength, QOL, or physical activity at 3, 6, or 12 months.
• Participants adhered to the program, completing an average of 104 exercise sessions over 12 months, though less frequently than the prescribed three times per week.

Conclusions:

• Older adults can learn and adhere to home-based UL exercise programs with group instruction.
• The studied home-based UL exercise program did not yield significant improvements in UL strength, mobility, or function.
• Further research is required to establish optimal exercise protocols for preventing shoulder dysfunction in the aging population.