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Behavior changes by a buddy‐style intervention including physical training, and nutritional and social support
Author(s) -
Winzer Eva,
Dorner Thomas E,
Grabovac Igor,
Haider Sandra,
Kapan Ali,
Lackinger Christian,
Schindler Karin
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
geriatrics and gerontology international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.823
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1447-0594
pISSN - 1444-1586
DOI - 10.1111/ggi.13616
Subject(s) - medicine , randomized controlled trial , psychological intervention , intervention (counseling) , physical therapy , physical activity , social support , life style , gerontology , psychology , nursing , psychotherapist , environmental health
Aim Previous research suggests that multicomponent interventions including physical training, and nutritional and social support are required to improve a person's behavior. As a pre‐specified secondary outcome, this analysis aimed to ascertain whether a “buddy‐style” intervention could produce physical activity and nutritional behavior changes in older adults. Methods A 12‐week, home‐based, randomized controlled trial was carried out with 80 older persons, who were randomly assigned to an intervention group ( n = 39), including physical training and nutritional support, and a control group ( n = 41). Trained non‐professional volunteers visited the participants at home twice a week. Physical activity and nutritional behavior were assessed through validated questionnaires. Results In total, 36 participants in the intervention group and 26 participants in the control group completed the final questionnaire. The intervention group showed significant improvements in physical activity behavior, such as light sport activity (β = 9.13, 95% CI 0.90–17.37 min/day; P = 0.030), muscle strength exercise (β = 68.18, 95% CI 46.45–89.91 min/week; P < 0.001) and overall activities (β = 0.69, 95% CI 0.21–1.18 h/day; P = 0.006), compared with the control group. Nutritional behavior improvements for the intervention group were observed in the consumption of legumes/nuts (β = 0.18, 95% CI 0.00–0.35 portions/day; P = 0.047) and fluids (β = 0.48, 95% CI 0.01–0.98 portions/day; P = 0.050), relative to controls. Conclusions A “buddy‐style” program in older adults living at home can produce effective physical activity changes and, to a lesser extent, changes in dietary behavior, and has the potential to be efficient and feasible. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 323–329 .