Open AccessThe Influence of Evidence-Based Exercise and Age Reattribution on Physical Function in Hispanic Older Adults: Results From the ¡Caminemos! Randomized Controlled Trial
Author(s) -
Brett Burrows,
Flávia Cristina Drumond Andrade,
Lissette M Piedra,
Shaomao Xu,
Susan Aguiñaga,
Nessa Steinberg,
Catherine A. Sarkisian,
Rosalba Hernandez
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of applied gerontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.857
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1552-4523
pISSN - 0733-4648
DOI - 10.1177/0733464820927171
Subject(s) - physical therapy , medicine , randomized controlled trial , confidence interval , attribution , intervention (counseling) , retraining , gerontology , psychology , international trade , business , social psychology , psychiatry
Older Hispanics routinely exhibit unhealthy beliefs about "normal" aging trajectories, particularly related to exercise and physical function. We evaluated the prospective effects of age reattribution on physical function in older Hispanics. Participants ( n = 565, ≥60 years) were randomly assigned into (a) treatment group-attribution-retraining, or (b) control group-health education. Each group separately engaged in four weekly 1-hr group discussions and 1-hr exercise classes, followed by monthly maintenance sessions. The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) measured physical function throughout the 24-month intervention. No significant difference in physical function between intervention arms was evident over time. However, both groups experienced significant improvements in physical function at 24 months (β = 0.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.16, 0.70]). Participating in the exercise intervention was associated with improvements in physical function, although no additional gains were apparent for age attribution-retraining. Future research should consider strengthening or modifying intervention content for age reattribution or dosage received.