Nina Lindelöf

High-intensity functional exercise program and protein-enriched energy supplement for older persons dependent in activities of daily living: a randomised controlled trial.

The aims of this randomised controlled trial were to determine if a high-intensity functional exercise program improves balance, gait ability, and lower-limb strength in older persons dependent in activities of daily living and if an intake of protein-enriched energy supplement immediately after the exercises increases the effects of the training. One hundred and ninety-one older persons dependent in activities of daily living, living in residential care facilities, and with a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of ? 10 participated. They were randomised to a high-intensity functional exercise program or a control activity, which included 29 sessions over 3 months, as well as to protein-enriched energy supplement or placebo. Berg Balance Scale, self-paced and maximum gait speed, and one-repetition maximum in lower-limb strength were followed-up at three and six months and analysed by 2 x 2 factorial ANCOVA, using the intention-to-treat principle. At three months, the exercise group had improved significantly in self-paced gait speed compared with the control group (mean difference 0.04 m/s, p = 0.02). At six months, there were significant improvements favouring the exercise group for Berg Balance Scale (1.9 points, p = 0.05), self-paced gait speed (0.05 m/s, p = 0.009), and lower-limb strength (10.8 kg, p = 0.03). No interaction effects were seen between the exercise and nutrition interventions. In conclusion, a high-intensity functional exercise program has positive long-term effects in balance, gait ability, and lower-limb strength for older persons dependent in activities of daily living. An intake of protein-enriched energy supplement immediately after the exercises does not appear to increase the effects of the training.

Berg Balance Scale: Intrarater Test-Retest Reliability Among Older People Dependent in Activities of Daily Living and Living in Residential Care Facilities

Background and Purpose: The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) is frequently used to assess balance in older people, but knowledge is lacking about the absolute reliability of BBS scores. The aim of this study was to investigate the absolute and relative intrarater test-retest reliability of data obtained with the BBS when it is used among older people who are dependent in activities of daily living and living in residential care facilities. Subjects: The participants were 45 older people (36 women and 9 men) who were living in 3 residential care facilities. Their mean age was 82.3 years (SD=6.6, range=68–96), and their mean score on the Mini Mental State Examination was 17.5 (SD=6.3, range=4–30). Methods: The BBS was assessed twice by the same assessor. The intrarater test-retest reliability assessments were made at approximately the same time of day and with 1 to 3 days in between assessments. Absolute reliability was calculated using an analysis of variance with a 95% confidence level, as suggested by Bland and Altman. Relative reliability was calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: The mean score was 30.1 points (SD=15.9, range=3–53) for the first BBS test and 30.6 points (SD=15.6, range=4–54) for the retest. The mean absolute difference between the 2 tests was 2.8 points (SD=2.7, range=0–11). The absolute reliability was calculated as being 7.7 points, and the ICC was calculated to .97. Discussion and Conclusion: Despite a high ICC value, the absolute reliability showed that a change of 8 BBS points is required to reveal a genuine change in function among older people who are dependent in activities of daily living and living in residential care facilities. This knowledge is important in the clinical setting when evaluating an individuals change in balance function over time in this group of older people.

Effects of a high-intensity functional exercise programme on depressive symptoms and psychological well-being among older people living in residential care facilities: A cluster-randomized controlled trial

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of a high-intensity functional exercise programme on depressive symptoms and psychological well-being among older people dependent in activities of daily living (ADL) and living in residential care facilities. Method: Cluster-randomized controlled study. Participants were 191 older people, aged 65–100, dependent in ADL and with Mini Mental State Examination scores between 10 and 30. One-hundred (52%) of the participants had a diagnosed dementia disorder. A high-intensity functional weight-bearing exercise programme and a control activity were performed in groups. Sessions were held five times over each two week period for three months, a total of 29 times. The outcome measures, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) and Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGCMS) were blindly assessed at baseline, three and six months. Results: At baseline, mean ± SD (range) for GDS was 4.4 ± 3.2 (0–14), and for PGCMS 11.0 ± 3.5 (2–17). There were no significant differences in GDS or PGCMS between the exercise and the control group at the three and six month follow-ups in the total sample. Among people with dementia, there was a between-group difference at three months in PGCMS scores in favour of the exercise group. Conclusion: A high-intensity functional exercise programme seems generally not to influence depressive symptoms or psychological well-being among older people dependent in ADL and living in residential care facilities. An individualized and multifactorial intervention may be needed in this group. However, an exercise programme as a single intervention may have a short-term effect on well-being among people with dementia.

Effects of a High‐Intensity Functional Exercise Program on Dependence in Activities of Daily Living and Balance in Older Adults with Dementia

To investigate the effects of a high‐intensity functional exercise program on independence in activities of daily living (ADLs) and balance in older people with dementia and whether exercise effects differed between dementia types.

Effect of a High‐Intensity Functional Exercise Program on Functional Balance: Preplanned Subgroup Analyses of a Randomized Controlled Trial in Residential Care Facilities

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether age, sex, depression, dementia disorder, nutritional status, or level of functional balance capacity influences the effect of a high‐intensity functional weight‐bearing exercise program on functional balance.

Weighted Belt Exercise for Frail Older Women Following Hip Fracture - A Single Subject Design

The aim was to investigate the possibility of increasing lower limb strength, dynamic balance and gait speed in frail older women with residual mobility problems following hip fracture by using a combined and functional training programme with a weighted belt. Three women aged 78-82 participated in this repeated single-subject experimental design study. The intervention phase consisted of a 10-week functional weight-bearing exercise programme performed twice a week. Main outcome measures were assessed twice a week during baseline and intervention phases. Graphic analyses showed substantial improvements in dynamic balance and gait speed, related to the intervention, in all three subjects. During intervention phase, gait speed improved by 16-38% and step test performance (dynamic balance) by 36-67%. The subjects also increased weight load in the belt by 25-80%. No progress was seen regarding isometric knee extension muscle strength, and the control variable, isometric hand-grip strength, remained unchanged. However, dynamic strength (one-repetition maximum in leg press, tested before and after intervention) showed substantial increase. Subjects experienced strong improvement and reported no discomfort. In conclusion, functional training with a weighted belt may be suitable for older women to alleviate mobility problems following hip fracture.

Is a change in functional capacity or dependency in activities of daily living associated with a change in mental health among older people living in residential care facilities

Aim Functional capacity and dependency in activities of daily living (ADL) could be important mediators for an association between physical exercise and mental health. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a change in functional capacity or dependency in ADL is associated with a change in depressive symptoms and psychological well-being among older people living in residential care facilities, and whether dementia can be a moderating factor for this association. Methods A prospective cohort study was undertaken. Participants were 206 older people, dependent in ADL, living in residential care facilities, 115 (56%) of whom had diagnosed dementia. Multivariate linear regression, with comprehensive adjustment for potential confounders, was used to investigate associations between differences over 3 months in Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) scores, and in BBS and Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGCMS) scores. Associations were also investigated between differences in Barthel ADL Index and GDS-15 scores, and in Barthel ADL Index and PGCMS scores. Results There were no significant associations between changes in scores over 3 months; the unstandardized β for associations between BBS and GDS-15 was 0.026 (P=0.31), BBS and PGCMS 0.045 (P=0.14), Barthel ADL Index and GDS-15 0.123 (P=0.06), and Barthel ADL Index and PGCMS −0.013 (P=0.86). There were no interaction effects for dementia. Conclusion A change in functional capacity or dependency in ADL does not appear to be associated with a change in depressive symptoms or psychological well-being among older people living in residential care facilities. These results may offer one possible explanation as to why studies of physical exercise to influence these aspects of mental health have not shown effects in this group of older people.

Experiences of a high-intensity functional exercise programme among older people dependent in activities of daily living

The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the experience of participating in a high-intensity functional exercise programme among older people dependent in activities of daily living (ADL) and living in residential care facilities. Interviews were conducted with nine older people, aged 73–91, and dependent in ADL who had participated in a high-intensity functional exercise programme. Qualitative content analysis was used in analysing the interviews. The findings show that the informants, despite extensive impairments, multiple diagnoses, and advanced age, displayed a belief in the positive effects of the programme, a strong desire to be active, and the will to strive to avoid further loss of capacity. They were struggling with failing bodies that constituted barriers to exercise. Support from the supervisors and belief in personal success facilitated performance of the exercises. The informants related physical and mental improvements that affected their daily life positively and that exercising in a group was stimulating and created a sense of togetherness. The effort was seen as worthwhile because participating in strenuous exercise could imply that they might overcome bodily limitations to achieve increased vitality and improved quality of life.

Effects of a high-intensity functional exercise program on depressive symptoms among people with dementia in residential care: a randomized controlled trial.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a high‐intensity functional exercise program on depressive symptoms among older care facility residents with dementia.

Perceptions of participating in high-intensity functional exercise among older people dependent in activities of daily living (ADL)

The purpose of the study was to evaluate how older people, dependent in ADL perceive their participation in a high-intensity, functional exercise program compared to the perceptions of those participating in a control activity. Forty-eight older people living in residential care facilities answered a questionnaire about their perceptions of participating in an activity for three months. They were aged 65-98, had a mean score of 24 on Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and 14 on Barthel ADL Index. The participants had been randomized to exercise (n=20) or control activity (n=28). Differences in responses between exercise and control activity were evaluated using logistic and ordinal regression analyses. The results show that a majority of the exercise group perceived positive changes in lower limb strength, balance, and in the ability to move more safely and securely compared to a minority of the control group (p<0.001). Significantly more respondents in the exercise activity answered that they felt less tired due to the activity (p=0.027) and that they prioritized this activity above other activities (p=0.010). More exercise participants reported that meeting for three months was too short, and fewer that it was too long compared to the control group (p=0.038). This study shows that older people living in residential care facilities, dependent in ADL, and with mild or no cognitive impairment had positive perceptions about participating in high-intensity functional exercise. The findings support the use of a high-intensity exercise program in this population of older people.