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Feasibility of Post‐Hospitalization Interventions to Improve Physical Function in Older Adults
Author(s) -
Deer Rachel,
Goodlett Shawn,
Fisher Steve,
Dickinson Jared,
Volpi Elena
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.584.13
Subject(s) - medicine , psychological intervention , placebo , physical therapy , acute care , demographics , clinical trial , health care , economic growth , alternative medicine , demography , pathology , psychiatry , sociology , economics
Acute hospitalization can have catastrophic consequences for physical function and independence in older adults. The inability to regain function following a hospital stay is a strong predictor of re‐hospitalization and mortality. We have shown that nutritional interventions, exercise, and anabolic steroids independently increase muscle size and function, thus representing promising therapeutic strategies. The goal of this pilot study was to test the feasibility of interventions (placebo supplement (P), nutrition supplement (N, whey protein), progressive in‐home exercise + placebo (E+P), exercise + nutrition (E+N), or single testosterone injection (T)) to improve physical function in older adults following acute hospitalization. Subjects (>65 years) were recruited during hospitalization at UTMB Acute Care for Elders unit. Demographics and short physical performance battery (SPPB) were collected at hospital discharge and 1‐month post discharge. Mean baseline SPPB score was 6.6. At 1‐mo testing, interventions tended to enhance improvement in raw SPPB score (P: 1.3, N: 3.3, E+P: 2.2, E+N: 3.2, T: 2.3) and percent of subjects with a clinically meaningful improvement (蠅1 point) (P: 50%, N: 100%, E+P: 80%, E+N: 80%, T: 88%). Gait speed was low in all groups at baseline (0.60‐ 0.71 m/s). Interventions tended to augment gait speed at 1‐mo (P: 25%, N: 50%, E+P: 45%, E+N: 44%, T: 21%). These preliminary data (n=4‐8), from an ongoing clinical trial, indicate that interventions after acute hospitalization are feasible and can improve physical function in older adults. Dairy Research Institute (1229) and UTMB Claude D. Pepper OAIC (5P30‐ AG024832).