Effectiveness of locomotion training in a home visit preventive care project: one-group pre-intervention versus post-intervention design study

What long-term care interventions have been published between 2010 and 2020? Results of a WHO scoping review identifying long-term care interventions for older people around the world

OBJECTIVE

The global population is rapidly ageing. To tackle the increasing prevalence of older adults' chronic conditions, loss of intrinsic capacity and functional ability, long-term care interventions are required. The study aim was to identify long-term care interventions reported in scientific literature from 2010 to 2020 and categorise them in relation to WHO's public health framework of healthy ageing.

DESIGN

Scoping review conducted on PubMed, CINHAL, Cochrane and Google Advanced targeting studies reporting on long-term care interventions for older and frail adults. An internal validated Excel matrix was used for charting.Setting nursing homes, assisted care homes, long-term care facilities, home, residential houses for the elderly and at the community.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Studies published in peer-reviewed journals between 1 January 2010 to 1 February 2020 on implemented interventions with outcome measures provided in the settings mentioned above for subjects older than 60 years old in English, Spanish, German, Portuguese or French.

RESULTS

305 studies were included. Fifty clustered interventions were identified and organised into four WHO Healthy Ageing domains and 20 subdomains. All interventions delved from high-income settings; no interventions from low-resource settings were identified. The most frequently reported interventions were multimodal exercise (n=68 reports, person-centred assessment and care plan development (n=22), case management for continuum care (n=16), multicomponent interventions (n=15), psychoeducational interventions for caregivers (n=13) and interventions mitigating cognitive decline (n=13).

CONCLUSION

The identified interventions are diverse overarching multiple settings and areas seeking to prevent, treat and improve loss of functional ability and intrinsic capacity. Interventions from low-resource settings were not identified.

Effects of Locomotion Training on the Physical Functions and Quality of Life in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Pilot Clinical Trial

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Comparative trial of the effects of continuous locomotion training provided at pharmacies: a pilot study

Background

While the world’s population is growing older, healthy life expectancy is not increasing. The Japanese Orthopedic Association proposed the concept of ‘locomotive syndrome,’ manifested as a decline in mobility functions, and introduced a short test battery for assessing the risk of this syndrome. The test battery includes the ‘stand-up test,’ ‘two-step test,’ and ‘25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale’ (25-question GLFS). The purpose of locomotion training is to improve and sustain standing and gait functions. However, the place where locomotion training can be provided and followed up has not been decided upon. Therefore, a study was conducted to explore the effect of locomotive syndrome improvement by continuous locomotion training provided at community pharmacies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of pharmacists’ instructions and follow-up on the compliance and effectiveness of locomotion training.

Methods

The inclusion criteria were 1) age ≥ 65 years and 2) decline in mobility functions. Guidance on how to perform locomotion training was provided by a pharmacist at the pharmacy. The participants performed locomotion training at home. They were tested and instructed at the pharmacy once a month for 3 months. The main outcome measures were test battery results and the percentage of number of days participants who were able to do the training at home.

Results

Eleven participants were analysed. The minimum implementation percentage was 78%. Improvements were observed in 25-question GLFS, muscle strength, and standing time on one leg. Three participants no longer showed a noticeable decline in mobility function.

Conclusion

Continuous locomotion training provided at pharmacies could contribute to locomotive syndrome prevention.

Trial registration

This study was registered with the University hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR; identification No. UMIN000027963. Registered 28 June 2017).

Assessment of the effects of a group intervention program used in home-dwelling elderly individuals to promote home exercise and prevent locomotive syndrome

[Purpose] We assessed the effects of a group intervention program used in home-dwelling elderly individuals to promote home exercise and prevent locomotive syndrome. [Participants and Methods] Pre- and post-intervention evaluations were performed in all participants. Group intervention was performed thrice between the pre- and post-intervention evaluations in all participants. A total of 19 elderly individuals participated in the pre- and post-intervention evaluations. Tests used for evaluation were the two-step test, standing-up test, and 25-question geriatric locomotive function scale. [Results] Among all participants in this study, 12 who performed all 3 aforementioned tests were classified as the non-absence group, whereas 7 who were absent more than once were classified as the absence group. We examined intergroup differences with respect to changes between the pre- and post-intervention evaluations, and we observed significant changes only in the results of the two-step test. [Conclusion] We conclude that low-frequency intervention in the form of workshops led to positive results with respect to improved physical function in home-dwelling elderly individuals.

Feasibility and effectiveness of home-based exercise programs on physical performance and health-related quality of life of the older people dwelling on an isolated, doctor-less island

AIM

To promote preventive care among older individuals dwelling on an isolated, doctor-less island, we investigated the feasibility and the efficacy of a home-based exercise program, depending on their functional status and health-related quality of life.

METHODS

A total of 23 older (mean age 72.6 years) participants were assigned to a home-based exercise program (intervention group), and 34 older (mean age 74.2 years) participants were assigned to a group without any intervention (control group). The participants of the intervention group attended the exercise program three times a week for 3 months. The exercise program consisted of various exercises involving stretching, muscle strengthening, balance retraining and walking. The physical performance, Functional Independence Measure and Short-Form 36-item health survey were used to assess the physical and the mental wellbeing of the participants.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the changes in physical performance at baseline and post 3 months in both groups. However, the motor and the cognitive Functional Independence Measure scores significantly improved in the intervention group post 3 months. The domains of the Short-Form 36-item health survey improved post 3 months; particularly, significant improvement was observed in the physical functions, general health, vitality, mental health and mental component summary.

CONCLUSIONS

Although an isolated island has several problems to support preventive care services, such as a lack of medical resources and availability of only a few healthcare workers, the present study provides evidence on the feasibility and efficacy of nurse-led home-based exercise programs for improving the physical and mental health of the older people dwelling on an isolated, doctor-less island. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 1313-1317.

The beneficial effects of different types of exercise interventions on motor and cognitive functions in older age: a systematic review

The decline in cognitive and motor functions with age affects the performance of the aging healthy population in many daily life activities. Physical activity appears to mitigate this decline or even improve motor and cognitive abilities in older adults. The current systematic review will focus mainly on behavioral studies that look into the dual effects of different types of physical training (e.g., balance training, aerobic training, strength training, group sports, etc.) on cognitive and motor tasks in older adults with no known cognitive or motor disabilities or disease. Our search retrieved a total of 1095 likely relevant articles, of which 41 were considered for full-text reading and 19 were included in the review after the full-text reading. Overall, observations from the 19 included studies conclude that improvements on both motor and cognitive functions were found, mainly in interventions that adopt physical-cognitive training or combined exercise training. While this finding advocates the use of multimodal exercise training paradigms or interventions to improve cognitive-motor abilities in older adults, the sizeable inconsistency among training protocols and endpoint measures complicates the generalization of this finding.

A 4-week, lifestyle-integrated, home-based exercise training programme elicits improvements in physical function and lean mass in older men and women: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Developing alternative exercise programmes that can alleviate certain barriers to exercise such as psychological, environmental or socio-economical barriers, but provide similar physiological benefits e.g. increases in muscle mass and strength, is of grave importance. This pilot study aimed to assess the efficacy of an unsupervised, 4-week, whole-body home-based exercise training (HBET) programme, incorporated into daily living activities, on skeletal muscle mass, power and strength.

METHODS

Twelve healthy older volunteers (63±3 years, 7 men: 5 women, BMI: 29±1 kg/m²) carried out the 4-week "lifestyle-integrated" HBET of 8 exercises, 3x12 repetitions each, every day. Before and after HBET, a number of physical function tests were carried out: unilateral leg extension 1-RM (one- repetition maximum), MVC (maximal voluntary contraction) leg extension, lower leg muscle power (via Nottingham Power Rig), handgrip strength and SPPBT (short physical performance battery test). A D 3-Creatine method was used for assessment of whole-body skeletal muscle mass, and ultrasound was used to measure the quadriceps cross-sectional area (CSA) and vastus lateralis muscle thickness.

RESULTS

Four weeks HBET elicited significant (p<0.05) improvements in leg muscle power (276.7±38.5 vs. 323.4±43.4 W), maximal voluntary contraction (60°: 154.2±18.4 vs. 168.8±15.2 Nm, 90°: 152.1±10.5 vs. 159.1±11.4 Nm) and quadriceps CSA (57.5±5.4 vs. 59.0±5.3 cm 2), with a trend for an increase in leg strength (1-RM: 45.7±5.9 vs. 49.6±6.0 kg, P=0.08). This was despite there being no significant differences in whole-body skeletal muscle mass, as assessed via D 3-Creatine.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that increases in multiple aspects of muscle function can be achieved in older adults with just 4-weeks of "lifestyle-integrated" HBET, with a cost-effective means. This training mode may prove to be a beneficial alternative for maintaining and/or improving muscle mass and function in older adults.

A 4-week, lifestyle-integrated, home-based exercise training programme elicits improvements in physical function and lean mass in older men and women: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Developing alternative exercise programmes that can alleviate certain barriers to exercise such as psychological, environmental or socio-economical barriers, but provide similar physiological benefits e.g. increases in muscle mass and strength, is of grave importance. This pilot study aimed to assess the efficacy of an unsupervised, 4-week, whole-body home-based exercise training (HBET) programme, incorporated into daily living activities, on skeletal muscle mass, power and strength.

METHODS

Twelve healthy older volunteers (63±3 years, 7 men: 5 women, BMI: 29±1 kg/m²) carried out the 4-week "lifestyle-integrated" HBET of 8 exercises, 3x12 repetitions each, every day. Before and after HBET, a number of physical function tests were carried out: unilateral leg extension 1-RM (one- repetition maximum), MVC (maximal voluntary contraction) leg extension, lower leg muscle power (via Nottingham Power Rig), handgrip strength and SPPBT (short physical performance battery test). A D 3-Creatine method was used for assessment of whole-body skeletal muscle mass, and ultrasound was used to measure the quadriceps cross-sectional area (CSA) and vastus lateralis muscle thickness.

RESULTS

Four weeks HBET elicited significant (p<0.05) improvements in leg muscle power (276.7±38.5 vs. 323.4±43.4 W), maximal voluntary contraction (60°: 154.2±18.4 vs. 168.8±15.2 Nm, 90°: 152.1±10.5 vs. 159.1±11.4 Nm) and quadriceps CSA (57.5±5.4 vs. 59.0±5.3 cm 2), with a trend for an increase in leg strength (1-RM: 45.7±5.9 vs. 49.6±6.0 kg, P=0.08). This was despite there being no significant differences in whole-body skeletal muscle mass, as assessed via D 3-Creatine.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that increases in multiple aspects of muscle function can be achieved in older adults with just 4-weeks of "lifestyle-integrated" HBET, with a cost-effective means. This training mode may prove to be a beneficial alternative for maintaining and/or improving muscle mass and function in older adults.

Effect of a simple and adherent home exercise program on the physical function of community dwelling adults sixty years of age and older with pre-sarcopenia or sarcopenia

[Purpose] To evaluate the effect of a home exercise program on physical function in community dwelling elderly with pre-sarcopenia or sarcopenia. [Subjects and Methods] Fifty-two community-dwelling individuals, over 60 years and meeting the diagnostic criteria for pre-sarcopenia or sarcopenia, were randomly assigned to intervention group (n=34) and control group (n=18). The intervention group completed 6-months home exercise programs, combining walking with lower limb resistance exercises. Body mass index, skeletal mass index, body fat percentage, handgrip strength, single-leg standing, walking speed (comfortable and maximal), and knee extension strength were evaluated at baseline and post-intervention. Activity was assessed using the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Functional Scale (GLFS-25) and quality of life using the Euro QOL questionnaire. [Results] Pre- and post-training assessments were completed by 76.5% and 77.8% of participants in the intervention and control groups, respectively. The intervention improved single-leg standing (60.5 s to 77.2 s) and knee extension strength (1.38 Nm/kg to 1.69 Nm/kg). In the control group, maximum walking speed (2.02 m/s to 1.86 m/s) and GLFS-25 score (2.9 to 5.1) worsened. Change of pre-sarcopenia/sarcopenia status was comparable for the intervention (15.4%) and control (14.3%) groups. [Conclusion] A 6-month home exercise program improved physical function in community-dwelling individuals with pre-sarcopenia or sarcopenia.