Study protocol: home-based telehealth stroke care: a randomized trial for veterans

Background

Stroke is one of the most disabling and costly impairments of adulthood in the United States. Stroke patients clearly benefit from intensive inpatient care, but due to the high cost, there is considerable interest in implementing interventions to reduce hospital lengths of stay. Early discharge rehabilitation programs require coordinated, well-organized home-based rehabilitation, yet lack of sufficient information about the home setting impedes successful rehabilitation. This trial examines a multifaceted telerehabilitation (TR) intervention that uses telehealth technology to simultaneously evaluate the home environment, assess the patient's mobility skills, initiate rehabilitative treatment, prescribe exercises tailored for stroke patients and provide periodic goal oriented reassessment, feedback and encouragement.

Methods

We describe an ongoing Phase II, 2-arm, 3-site randomized controlled trial (RCT) that determines primarily the effect of TR on physical function and secondarily the effect on disability, falls-related self-efficacy, and patient satisfaction. Fifty participants with a diagnosis of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: (a) TR; or (b) Usual Care. The TR intervention uses a combination of three videotaped visits and five telephone calls, an in-home messaging device, and additional telephonic contact as needed over a 3-month study period, to provide a progressive rehabilitative intervention with a treatment goal of safe functional mobility of the individual within an accessible home environment. Dependent variables will be measured at baseline, 3-, and 6-months and analyzed with a linear mixed-effects model across all time points.

Discussion

For patients recovering from stroke, the use of TR to provide home assessments and follow-up training in prescribed equipment has the potential to effectively supplement existing home health services, assist transition to home and increase efficiency. This may be particularly relevant when patients live in remote locations, as is the case for many veterans.

Trial Registration

Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT00384748

The impact of self-reported arthritis and diabetes on response to a home-based physical activity counselling intervention

OBJECTIVES

Physical activity (PA) has the potential to improve outcomes in both arthritis and diabetes, but these conditions are rarely examined together. Our objective was to explore whether persons with arthritis alone or those with both arthritis and diabetes could improve amounts of PA with a home-based counselling intervention.

METHODS

As part of the Veterans LIFE (Learning to Improve Fitness and Function in Elders) Study, veterans aged 70-92 were randomized to usual care or a 12-month PA counselling programme. Arthritis and diabetes were assessed by self-report. Mixed models were used to compare trajectories for minutes of endurance and strength training PA for persons with no arthritis (n = 85), arthritis (n = 178), and arthritis plus diabetes (n = 84).

RESULTS

Recipients of PA counselling increased minutes of PA per week independent of disease status (treatment arm by time interaction p < 0.05 for both; endurance training time p = 0.0006 and strength training time p < 0.0001). Although PA was lower at each wave among persons with arthritis, and even more so among persons with arthritis plus diabetes, the presence of these conditions did not significantly influence response to the intervention (arthritis/diabetes group x time interactions p > 0.05 for both outcomes) as each group experienced a nearly twofold or greater increase in PA.

CONCLUSIONS

A home-based PA intervention was effective in increasing minutes of weekly moderate intensity endurance and strength training PA in older veterans, even among those with arthritis or arthritis plus diabetes. This programme may serve as a useful model to improve outcomes in older persons with these pervasive diseases.

Promoting healthy lifestyles in older cancer survivors to improve health and preserve function

Currently, there are about 7 million cancer survivors in this country aged 65 and older, and this number is expected to increase rapidly, given trends toward aging and improvements in early detection and treatment. Unfortunately, cancer survivors are at risk for several comorbid conditions and accelerated functional decline. A previous cross-sectional study of 688 older breast and prostate cancer survivors found significant associations between lifestyle practices and levels of physical functioning, with positive associations noted for physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption and negative associations observed for dietary fat. In a more-recent cross-sectional study of 753 older survivors of breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer, significant associations were also observed between physical function, and physical activity (rho=0.22, P<.001) and diet quality (rho=0.07, P=.046), and a significant negative association was also found between physical function and body mass index (rho=-0.29, P<.001). Therefore, lifestyle interventions may be helpful in positively reorienting the trajectory of functional decline in this vulnerable population, although there are substantial barriers, such as travel, that must be overcome in delivering behavioral interventions to older cancer survivors. Previously reported results from the Pepper Center-funded Leading the Way in Exercise and Diet Project intervention development study suggested that an exercise and diet intervention delivered using telephone counseling and mailed materials was readily accepted and appeared to be of benefit. Larger trials, such as Reach-out to ENhancE Wellness in Older Survivors, have recently produced compelling data.

Is diabetes associated with poorer self-efficacy and motivation for physical activity in older adults with arthritis?

OBJECTIVES

The primary aim was to explore whether arthritis is associated with poorer self-efficacy and motivation for, and participation in, two specific types of physical activity (PA): endurance training (ET) and strength training (ST). A further objective was to determine whether the added burden of diabetes contributes to a further reduction in these PA determinants and types.

METHODS

Self-efficacy and motivation for exercise and minutes per week of ET and ST were measured in 347 older veterans enrolled in a home-based PA counselling intervention. Regression analyses were used to compare high versus low self-efficacy and motivation and PA minutes in persons without arthritis, with arthritis alone, and with arthritis plus diabetes.

RESULTS

Persons with arthritis alone reported lower self-efficacy for ET and ST than those without arthritis [odds ratio (OR)ET 0.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.39–1.20; ORST 0.69, 95% CI 0.39–1.20]. A further reduction in self-efficacy for these two types of PA was observed for those with both arthritis and diabetes (ORET 0.65, 95% CI 0.44–0.92; ORST 0.64, 95% CI 0.44–0.93; trend p < 0.001). There was no trend towards a reduction in motivation for PA in those with arthritis alone or with arthritis and diabetes. Persons with arthritis exhibited higher motivation for ET than those without arthritis (ORET 1.85, 95% CI 1.12–3.33). There were no significant differences between the three groups in minutes of ET (p = 0.93), but persons with arthritis plus diabetes reported significantly less ST compared to individuals with arthritis only (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite reduced self-efficacy for ET and ST and less ST in older persons with arthritis, motivation for both PA types remains high, even in the presence of diabetes.

Associations between lifestyle factors and quality of life among older long-term breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer survivors

BACKGROUND

Older cancer survivors are at increased risk for secondary cancers, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and functional decline and, thus, may benefit from health-related interventions. However, to the authors' knowledge, little is known regarding the health behaviors of older cancer survivors and the associations of those behaviors with quality-of-life outcomes, especially during the long-term post-treatment period.

METHODS

In total, 753 older (aged > or =65 years) long-term survivors (> or =5 years postdiagnosis) of breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer completed 2 baseline telephone interviews to assess their eligibility for a diet and exercise intervention trial. The interviews assessed exercise, diet, weight status, and quality of life.

RESULTS

Older cancer survivors reported a median of 10 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise per week, and only 7% had Healthy Eating Index scores >80 (indicative of healthful eating habits relative to national guidelines). Despite their suboptimal health behaviors, survivors reported mental and physical quality of life that exceeded age-related norms. Greater exercise and better diet quality were associated with better physical quality-of-life outcomes (eg, better vitality and physical functioning; P < .05), whereas greater body mass index was associated with reduced physical quality of life (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The current results indicated a high prevalence of suboptimal health behaviors among older, long-term survivors of breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer who were interested in lifestyle modification. In addition, the findings pointed to the potential negative impact of obesity and the positive impact of physical activity and a healthy diet on physical quality of life in this population.

Reach out to ENhancE Wellness in Older Cancer Survivors (RENEW): design, methods and recruitment challenges of a home-based exercise and diet intervention to improve physical function among long-term survivors of breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVE

Cure rates for cancer are increasing, especially for breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer. Despite positive trends in survivorship, a cancer diagnosis can trigger accelerated functional decline that can threaten independence, reduce quality-of-life and increase healthcare costs, especially among the elderly who comprise the majority of survivors. Lifestyle interventions may hold promise in reorienting functional decline in older cancer survivors, but few studies have been conducted.

METHODS

We describe the design and methods of a randomized controlled trial, RENEW (Reach out to ENhancE Wellness), that tests whether a home-based multi-behavior intervention focused on exercise, and including a low saturated fat, plant-based diet, would improve physical functioning among 641 older, long-term (>or=5 years post-diagnosis) survivors of breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer. Challenges to recruitment are examined.

RESULTS

Twenty thousand and fifteen cases were approached, and screened using a two-step screening process to assure eligibility. This population of long-term, elderly cancer survivors had lower rates of response (approximately 11%) and higher rates of ineligibility (approximately 70%) than our previous intervention studies conducted on adults with newly diagnosed cancer. Significantly higher response rates were noted among survivors who were White, younger, and more proximal to diagnosis and breast cancer survivors (p-values<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Older cancer survivors represent a vulnerable population for whom lifestyle interventions may hold promise. RENEW may provide guidance in allocating limited resources in order to maximize recruitment efforts aimed at this needy, but hard-to-reach population.

Prospective study of associations among positive emotion and functional status in older patients with coronary artery disease

We examined associations between positive emotion (PE) and functional status (Duke Activity Status Inventory) in 948 coronary artery disease (CAD) patients (35.1% women; age M = 70.1 years, SD = 6.3). Emotion and function measures were gathered during hospitalization and annually for 3 years. We used random coefficient models to examine PE during hospitalization and follow-up, as a predictor of change in function. Analyses adjusted for baseline functional status, negative emotion, social support, marital status, and disease severity. Sex was examined as a moderator of effects. PE assessed during hospitalization was a significant predictor of change in function such that lower levels of PE were associated with accelerated decline in function. Lower levels of PE during follow-up were also related to increasing decline in function but only in men. Thus, our findings indicate that PE is associated with less decline in functional status following hospitalization for CAD.

Correlation between symptoms and function in older adults with comorbidity

OBJECTIVES

To describe the relationship between symptom scores and mobility function measures, assess whether symptom scores and disease scores are similarly associated with mobility function, and identify clusters of symptoms that are most strongly associated with functional status in older adults.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from three cohorts.

SETTING

Academic medical center.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred ninety-five community-dwelling subjects with poor flexibility or cardiorespiratory fitness (fitness cohort), 211 female retirement community residents with vertebral fractures (VF cohort), and 61 subjects with Parkinson's disease (PD cohort).

MEASUREMENTS

Twenty-item self-reported symptom scale, 17-item self-reported disease scale, Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36) Physical Functioning Scale, 5-item Nagi Disability scale, 10-m walk time, supine to stand time.

RESULTS

Symptom scores correlated with mobility function measures (Spearman correlation coefficients ranged from 0.222 to 0.509) at least as strongly as, if not more strongly than, did disease scores. Symptom scores remained associated with functional outcomes after controlling for disease score and demographic variables. Adding symptom scores to models that contained disease scores significantly increased the association with functional outcomes. In the fitness cohort, muscle weakness was the most explanatory single symptom, associated with an average decrease of 17.8 points on the Physical Functioning Scale. A model that included only muscle weakness, pain, and shortness of breath accounted for 21.2% of the variability in the Physical Functioning Score.

CONCLUSION

Symptoms represent useful indicators of disability burden in older adults and are promising targets for interventions to improve function in medically complex patients.

Effects of home-based diet and exercise on functional outcomes among older, overweight long-term cancer survivors: RENEW: a randomized controlled trial

CONTEXT

Five-year survival rates for early stage colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer currently exceed 90% and are increasing. Cancer survivors are at greater risk for second malignancies, other comorbidities, and accelerated functional decline. Lifestyle interventions may provide benefit, but it is unknown whether long-term cancer survivors can modify their lifestyle behaviors sufficiently to improve functional status.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether a telephone counseling and mailed print material-based diet and exercise intervention is effective in reorienting functional decline in older, overweight cancer survivors.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Randomized controlled trial of 641 overweight (body mass index > or = 25 and < 40), long-term (> or = 5 years) survivors (aged 65-91 years) of colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer, who were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 319) or delayed intervention (control) group (n = 322) in Canada, the United Kingdom, and 21 US states. Individuals were recruited for the Reach out to Enhance Wellness (RENEW) trial from July 1, 2005, through May 17, 2007.

INTERVENTION

A 12-month, home-based tailored program of telephone counseling and mailed materials promoting exercise, improved diet quality, and modest weight loss. The control group was wait-listed for 12 months.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Change in self-reported physical function on the Short-Form 36 physical function subscale (score range, 0-100; a high score indicates better functioning) from baseline to 12 months was the primary end point. Secondary outcomes included changes in function on the basic and advanced lower extremity function subscales of the Late Life Function and Disability Index (score range, 0-100), physical activity, body mass index, and overall health-related quality of life.

RESULTS

The mean baseline Short-Form 36 physical function score was 75.7. At the 12-month follow-up, the mean function scores declined less rapidly in the intervention group (-2.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.36 to -3.93) compared with the control group (-4.84; 95% CI, -3.04 to -6.63) (P = .03). The mean baseline basic lower extremity function score was 78.2. The mean changes in basic lower extremity function were 0.34 (95% CI, -0.84 to 1.52) in the intervention group compared with -1.89 (95% CI, -0.70 to -3.09) in the control group (P = .005). Physical activity, dietary behaviors, and overall quality of life increased significantly in the intervention group compared with the control group, and weight loss also was greater (2.06 kg [95% CI, 1.69 to 2.43 kg] vs 0.92 kg [95% CI, 0.51 to 1.33 kg], respectively; P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Among older, long-term survivors of colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer, a diet and exercise intervention reduced the rate of self-reported functional decline compared with no intervention.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00303875.

The Veterans Learning to Improve Fitness and Function in Elders Study: a randomized trial of primary care-based physical activity counseling for older men

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effects of primary care-based, multicomponent physical activity counseling (PAC) promoting physical activity (PA) guidelines on gait speed and related measures of PA and function in older veterans.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Veterans Affairs Medical Center of Durham, North Carolina.

PARTICIPANTS

Three hundred ninety-eight male veterans aged 70 and older.

INTERVENTION

Twelve months of usual care (UC) or multicomponent PAC consisting of baseline in-person and every other week and then monthly telephone counseling by a lifestyle counselor, one-time clinical endorsement of PA, monthly automated telephone messaging from the primary care provider, and quarterly tailored mailings of progress in PA.

MEASUREMENTS

Gait speed (usual and rapid), self-reported PA, function, and disability at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months.

RESULTS

Although no between-group differences were noted for usual gait speed, rapid gait speed improved significantly more for the PAC group (1.56 +/- 0.41 m/s to 1.68 +/- 0.44 m/s) than with UC (1.57 +/- 0.40 m/sec to 1.59 +/- 0.42 m/sec, P=.04). Minutes of moderate/vigorous PA increased significantly in the PAC group (from 57.1 +/- 99.3 to 126.6 +/- 142.9 min/wk) but not in the UC group (from 60.2 +/- 116.1 to 69.6 +/- 116.1 min/wk, P<.001). Changes in other functional/disability outcomes were small.

CONCLUSION

In this group of older male veterans, multicomponent PA significantly improved rapid gait and PA. Translation from increased PA to overall functioning was not observed. Integration with primary care was successful.

Effects of an oral growth hormone secretagogue in older adults

CONTEXT

GH secretion declines with age, possibly contributing to reduced muscle mass, strength, and function. GH secretagogues (GHS) may increase muscle mass and physical performance.

OBJECTIVES/DESIGN

We conducted a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, multicenter study to investigate the hormonal, body composition, and physical performance effects and the safety of the orally active GHS capromorelin in older adults with mild functional limitation. INTERVENTION/PARTICIPANTS: A total of 395 men and women aged 65-84 yr were randomized for an intended 2 yr of treatment to four dosing groups (10 mg three times/week, 3 mg twice a day, 10 mg each night, and 10 mg twice a day) or placebo. Although the study was terminated early according to predetermined treatment effect criteria, 315 subjects completed 6 months of treatment, and 284 completed 12 months.

RESULTS

A sustained dose-related rise in IGF-I concentrations occurred in all active treatment groups. Each capromorelin dose prompted a rise in peak nocturnal GH, which was greatest with the least frequent dosing. At 6 months, body weight increased 1.4 kg in subjects receiving capromorelin and decreased 0.2 kg in those receiving placebo (P = 0.006). Lean body mass increased 1.4 vs. 0.3 kg (P = 0.001), and tandem walk improved by 0.9 sec (P = 0.02) in the pooled treatment vs. placebo groups. By 12 months, stair climb also improved (P = 0.04). Adverse events included fatigue, insomnia, and small increases in fasting glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, and indices of insulin resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

In healthy older adults at risk for functional decline, administration of the oral GHS capromorelin may improve body composition and physical function.

Active Mothers Postpartum (AMP): rationale, design, and baseline characteristics

BACKGROUND

Pregnancy and the postpartum period have been suggested as important contributors to overweight and obesity among women. This paper presents the design, rationale, and baseline participant characteristics of a randomized controlled intervention trial to enhance weight loss in postpartum women who entered pregnancy overweight or obese.

METHODS

Active Mothers Postpartum (AMP) is based on the rationale that the birth of a child can be a teachable moment. AMP's primary objectives are to promote and sustain a reduction in body mass index (BMI) up to 2 years postpartum via changes in diet and exercise behavior, with a secondary aim to assess racial differences in these outcomes. Women in the intervention arm participate in ten physical activity group sessions, eight healthy eating classes, and six telephone counseling sessions over a 9-month period. They also receive motivational tools, including a workbook with recipes and exercises, a pedometer, and a sport stroller.

RESULTS

Four hundred fifty women aged > or =18 (mean 30.9), with a BMI > or = 25 kg/m(2) (mean 33.0) at baseline (6 weeks postpartum) were enrolled; 45% of the final sample are black and 53% are white. Baseline characteristics by study arm and by race are presented.

CONCLUSIONS

Our intervention is designed to be disseminated broadly to benefit the public health. Behavior change interventions based on principles of social cognitive theory, stage of readiness, and other models that coincide with a teachable moment, such as the birth of a child, could be important motivators for postpartum weight loss.

Physical activity as a preventative factor for frailty: the health, aging, and body composition study

BACKGROUND

It is unclear if physical activity (PA) can prevent or reverse frailty. We examined different doses and types of PA and their association with the onset and severity of frailty.

METHODS

Health, Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) study participants (N = 2,964) were followed for 5 years, with frailty defined as a gait speed of less than 0.60 m/s and/or inability to rise from a chair without using one's arms. Individuals with one impairment were considered moderately frail and those with both severely frail. We examined PA doses of volume and intensity, activity types (eg, lifestyle vs exercise activities), and their associations with incident frailty and transition to severe frailty in those who became frail.

RESULTS

Adjusted models indicated that sedentary individuals had significantly increased odds of developing frailty compared with the exercise active group (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-2.01), whereas the lifestyle active did not. Number of diagnoses was the strongest predictor of incident frailty. In those who became frail during follow-up (n = 410), there was evidence that the sedentary (adjusted OR = 2.80; 95% CI: 0.98-8.02) and lifestyle active (adjusted OR = 2.81; 95% CI: 1.22-6.43) groups were more likely to have worsening frailty over time.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the strong relationship seen between comorbid conditions and onset of frailty, this observational study suggests that participation in self-selected exercise activities is independently associated with delaying the onset and the progression of frailty. Regular exercise should be further examined as a potential factor in frailty prevention for older adults.

Effect of physical activity guidelines on physical function in older adults

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether elderly people who meet national guidelines have higher physical function (PF) scores than those who do not and the effect on functional trajectory when physical activity (PA) levels change from above to below this threshold, or vice versa.

DESIGN

Pooled data.

SETTING

Two 6-month randomized controlled trials aimed at increasing PA in adults.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults aged 65 to 94 (N=357).

INTERVENTION

PA counseling over the telephone and through mailed materials.

MEASUREMENTS

Self-reported PA dichotomized at 150 minutes/week and PF using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Questionnaire PF subscale.

RESULTS

At baseline, individuals reporting 150 minutes or more of moderate PA/week had mean PF scores that were 20.3 points higher than those who did not (P<.001). Change in PA minutes from above threshold to below threshold or from below threshold to above threshold from baseline to 6 months resulted in an average change in PF of -11.18 (P<.001) and +5.10 (P=.05), respectively.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that PA is an important predictor of functional status. Older sedentary adults can improve PF by meeting recommended PA levels. Conversely, dropping below recommended PA levels has a deleterious effect on PF. Given the importance of PF in maintenance of independence and quality of life in older adults, adherence to recommended PA guidelines should be endorsed.

Dietary supplement use among elderly, long-term cancer survivors

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of the present study was to assess dietary supplement use and its association with micronutrient intakes and diet quality among older (>or=65 years), long-term survivors (>or=5 years post-diagnosis) of female breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer.

METHODS

The sample included 753 survivors who participated in telephone screening interviews to determine eligibility for a randomized diet and physical activity intervention trial entitled RENEW: Reach-out to ENhancE Wellness in Older Cancer Survivors. Telephone surveys included two 24-hour dietary recalls and items regarding supplement use (type, dose, and duration). Nutrient intakes were compared to Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs). Diet quality was assessed using the revised Healthy Eating Index (HEI). Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression were used in this cross-sectional study.

RESULTS

A majority of survivors (74%) reported taking supplements, with multivitamins (60%), calcium/vitamin D (37%), and antioxidants (30%) as the most prevalent. Overall proportions of the total sample with dietary intakes below Estimated Average Requirements (EARs) were substantial, although supplement users had more favorable mean HEI scores (P < 0.01) and nutrient intakes for 12 of the 13 vitamins and minerals investigated (P values < 0.05). Supplement use was positively associated with older age (>or=70 years) (odds ratio (OR)=1.70; 95% confidence interval (95% CI)=1.17, 2.46) and female gender (OR=1.49; 95% CI=1.04, 2.13), and negatively associated with current smoking (OR=0.40, 95% CI=0.21, 0.76). Individuals scoring higher on the Total Fruit (OR=1.12, 95% CI=1.01, 1.23), Whole Grain (OR=1.14, 95% CI=1.04, 1.25), and Oil (OR=1.10, 95% CI=1.01, 1.11) components of the HEI were significantly more likely to take supplements, while those scoring higher on the Meat and Beans category (OR=0.81, 95% CI=0.71, 0.93) were significantly less likely to take supplements. Compared to those with less than a high school education, survivors with a professional or graduate degree were significantly more likely to use supplements (OR=2.18, 95% CI=1.13, 4.23).

DISCUSSIONS/CONCLUSIONS

Demographic, disease, and health-related correlates of supplement use follow similar trends observed in the general population as well as previous reports from other cancer survivor populations. Supplement use may reduce the prevalence of nutrient inadequacies in this population, though survivors who use supplements are the least likely to need them.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Supplement use may be an effective means for many survivors to achieve adequate nutrient intakes; however, open communication between healthcare providers and survivors is needed to ensure potential concerns are addressed as supplement use may not always be beneficial.

Counseling for home-based walking and strength exercise in older primary care patients

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the effects of counseling linked with primary care visits on walking and "strength exercise" (the combination of strength-building and flexibility exercise) in aging veterans.

METHODS

Male veterans aged 60 to 85 years (N = 224) with physical function limitations were randomized to either counseling for home-based walking and strength exercise (EXC) or discussion of their choice of health education topics (EDUC) with a nurse at baseline, 1 month, and 5 months. The EXC participants recorded exercise on monthly calendars and received brief follow-up calls from the nurse; all participants received bimonthly newsletters throughout the 10-month trial.

RESULTS

Retention was 83% in the EXC group and 97% in the EDUC group (P < .001). With analyses using the last observation carried forward approach, the EXC participants reported more walking time per week at 5 and 10 months (64.5 and 60.6 min/wk, respectively, for the EXC group vs 50.5 and 45.7 min/wk, respectively, for the EDUC group; 2.4 d/wk and 2.3 d/wk, respectively, for the EXC group vs 1.8 and 1.7 d/wk, respectively, for the EDUC group) (P < .001). The EXC participants also reported more strength exercise at 5 and 10 months (44.6 and 41.2 min/wk, respectively, for the EXC group vs 19.8 and 14.7 min/wk, respectively, for the EDUC group; 2.1 and 2.0 d/wk, respectively, for the EXC group vs 0.8 and 0.8 d/wk, respectively, for the EDUC group) (P < .001). The EXC participants reported more frequent moderate- or higher-intensity physical activity (7.1 vs 5.1 sessions/wk) (P < .001). Findings from accelerometer-measured physical activity indicated more EXC than EDUC participants (64% vs 46%), who averaged 30 min/d or more of moderate- or higher-intensity physical activity (P = .03). Participants engaging in strength exercise improved physical performance and reported positive changes in quality of life.

CONCLUSION

Relatively brief counseling linked with primary care visits can increase home-based walking and strength exercise in aging male veterans.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00013195.

Effect of telephone exercise counseling on frailty in older veterans: project LIFE

This study sought to determine if telephone exercise counseling attenuates frailty in older, male veterans through increased levels of physical activity. Eighty-one elderly, male veterans (age = 78.4 +/- 4.9 years) randomized to intervention (n = 39) or combined control groups (n = 42) completed baseline and 6-month follow-up measures of gait velocity, 6-min walk, chair stands, body mass index, and physical activity. Adapting the Fried frailty model, deficits in one or more of these outcomes indicated frailty. The intervention group had a 6-month decrease of 18% in the proportion of frail to not frail participants, whereas the control groups had no change in proportions (Fisher's p = .08). Frail participants had a mean 6-month decrease in physical activity levels of 124 kilocalories/week, whereas the not frail group increased by 619 kilocalories/week (p = .07). There was a clinically meaningful change in frailty status with intensive, telephone exercise counseling. Improvement in frailty status was likely due to improvement in functional limitations.

The Diet Quality Index-Revised: A Tool to Promote and Evaluate Dietary Change among Older Cancer Survivors Enrolled in a Home-Based Intervention Trial

OBJECTIVE

To utilize the Diet Quality Index-Revised (DQI-R) as a framework for delivering and evaluating an intervention to improve overall diet quality among older cancer survivors.

DESIGN

As part of a randomized controlled trial to improve lifestyle behaviors among older cancer survivors, we sought a dietary measure that could serve as both an intervention framework and a means to evaluate global dietary quality. The DQI-R measures overall diet quality by summing 10 subscales that relate to national guidelines. At baseline, DQI-R scores were generated from three multi-pass 24-hour dietary recalls. The 6-month intervention delivered tailored feedback on individual DQI-R subscales. Dietary recalls were repeated at 6 and 12 months.

SUBJECTS

Elderly (aged >or=65 years) individuals within 18 months of diagnosis of breast or prostate cancer (n=182) were randomized postbaseline measures to intervention vs attention control arms.

RESULTS

Significant differences in overall diet quality were observed between arms at 6 months, with the intervention arm improving (67.6+/-12.2 to 69.8+/-13.9), and controls declining (67.5+/-12.5 to 64.6+/-14.7) (P=0.003). Significant differences were observed between arms over time in dietary diversity subscale scores: baseline and 6-month follow-up means among intervention and control arms were 4.8+/-1.3 to 4.8+/-1.4, and 4.7+/-1.2 to 4.1+/-1.1, respectively (P=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The DQI-R served as an effective guide and evaluation tool for this diet-related randomized controlled trial. Like many interventions, our effect diminished after the intervention was complete. Future research should consider testing interventions that use the DQI-R, or other global diet-related indexes, as guides and evaluation tools over longer study periods, as well as in other populations.

Walking speed predicts health status and hospital costs for frail elderly male veterans

This study evaluated the use of walking speed as an indicator of function and health status in acutely ill, hospitalized, older male veterans. Hospital inpatients in a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) study of Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) (n = 1,388, age 74.2 +/- 5.7, 98% male) were followed for 1 year. The results indicate that each 0.10 m/s reduction in baseline walking speed was associated with poorer health status (36-item short form [SF-36] beta = 4.5 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.8 to 6.1]), poorer physical functioning (beta = 2.1 [6.9 to 14.8]), more disabilities (beta = 0.63 [0.53 to 0.73]), additional rehabilitation visits (2.0 [1.4 to 2.5]), increased medical-surgical visits (2.8 [1.9 to 3.7]), longer hospital stays (2.2 [1.4 to 2.9]), and higher costs ($1,334 [$869 to $1,798]). In addition, each 0.10 m/ s/yr increase in walking speed resulted in improved health status (SF-36 beta = 8.4 [6.0 to 10.7]), improved physical function (beta = 2.9 [2.5 to 3.3]), fewer basic disabilities (0.30 [0.2 to 0.4]), fewer instrumental disabilities (0.7 [0.6 to 0.8]), fewer hospitalization days (2.3 [1.3 to 3.3]), and 1-year cost reductions of $1,188 [-$65 to $2,442]. Walking speed is useful for the functional assessment of acutely ill, hospitalized older adults. Measurement of walking speed over time may help predict those who will need and use more health-related services.

Using Step Activity Monitoring to Characterize Ambulatory Activity in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

OBJECTIVES

To explore the potential of using step activity monitoring to detect differences in ambulatory activity associated with advancing age and declining function in community-dwelling seniors.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional pilot study.

SETTING

General communities of Seattle, Washington; Catonsville, Maryland; and Durham, North Carolina.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty healthy younger adults, 28 healthy older adults, and 12 older adults reporting functional limitations.

MEASUREMENTS

Ambulatory activity data were collected over 6 days with the StepWatch 3. Average daily values were calculated for number of steps, number of minutes of activity, number of activity bouts, variability of minute-to-minute activity, and randomness of minute-to-minute activity fluctuations.

RESULTS

Healthy older adults engaged in fewer bouts of activity (P=.03) and displayed less-variable activity (P=.02) than younger adults. Older adults reporting functional limitations not only engaged in fewer bouts of activity (P=.009) and less variable activity (P<.001) than younger adults, but also accumulated fewer total steps (P=.003) and minutes of activity (P=.008) and had less-random minute-to-minute activity fluctuations (P=.02).

CONCLUSION

Step activity monitoring data were useful for detecting differences in ambulatory activity according to age and functional limitation. Monitor-based measures reflecting patterns of ambulatory activity show promise for use in studies of physical functioning.