Open AccessPromoting physical activity in geriatric patients with cognitive impairment after discharge from ward-rehabilitation: a feasibility study
Author(s) -
Tobias Eckert,
Martin Bongartz,
Phoebe Ullrich,
Bastian Abel,
Christian Werner,
Rainer Kiss,
Klaus Hauer
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
european journal of ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.906
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 1613-9380
pISSN - 1613-9372
DOI - 10.1007/s10433-020-00555-w
Subject(s) - pedometer , physical therapy , rehabilitation , intervention (counseling) , randomized controlled trial , medicine , physical medicine and rehabilitation , physical activity , psychology , nursing , surgery
The aim of the present study was to examine adherence and acceptance of a home-based program to promote physical activity (PA) in older persons with cognitive impairment (CI) following inpatient rehabilitation. Sixty-three older persons (≥ 65 years) with mild to moderate CI (Mini-Mental State Examination score 17-26), allocated to the intervention group of a randomized, controlled intervention trial underwent a 12-week home-based PA intervention including (1) physical training and outdoor walking to improve functional fitness and (2) motivational strategies (goal-setting, pedometer-based self-monitoring, social support delivered by home visits, phone calls) to promote PA. Training logs were used to assess adherence to physical training, outdoor walking and to motivational strategies (goal-setting, pedometer-based self-monitoring). Acceptance (subjective feasibility and effectiveness) of the program components was assessed by a standardized questionnaire. Mean adherence rates over the intervention period were 63.6% for physical training, 57.9% for outdoor walking, and between 40.1% (achievement of walking goals), and 60.1% (pedometer-based self-monitoring) for motivational strategies. Adherence rates significantly declined from baseline to the end of intervention (T1: 43.4-76.8%, T2: 36.1-51.5%, p values <.019). Most participants rated physical training, outdoor walking, goal-setting, and pedometer self-monitoring as feasible (68.2-83.0%) and effective (63.5-78.3%). Highest ratings of self-perceived effectiveness were found for home visits (90.6%) and phone calls (79.2%). The moderate to high adherence to self-performed physical training and motivational strategies proved the feasibility of the home-based PA program in older persons with CI following inpatient rehabilitation.