BackgroundPhysical activity may reverse frailty in the elderly, but we encounter barriers to the implementation of exercise programs in this population. Our main aim is to evaluate the effect of a multicomponent physical activity program, versus regular medical practice, on reverting pre-frailty status among the elderly, 12 months post-intervention.MethodsRandomized parallel group multicenter clinical trial located in primary care setting, among non-dependent and pre-frail patients > 70 years old, including 190 patients (95 intervention, 95 control group). Intervention: Multicomponent physical activity program (MEFAP, for its acronym in Spanish) with twelve 1.5 h-weekly sessions comprised of: 1. Informative session; 2. Exercises for improving aerobic resistance, muscle strength, propioception-balance and flexibility; and 3. Handing out of at-home exercise chart (twice/week). Main variable: pre-frailty according to the Fried phenotype. Secondary variables: sociodemographic, clinical and functional variables; exercise program adherence, patient satisfaction with the program and quality of life. We will perform an intention-to-treat analysis by comparing the retrogression from pre-frailty (1 or 2 Fried criteria) to robust status (0 Fried criteria) by the end of the intervention, 6 months and 12 months post-intervention. The accumulated incidence in each group will be calculated, as well as the relative risk (RR) and the number needed to treat (NNT) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee Hospital la Paz.DiscussionWithin the context of regular clinical practice, our results will provide evidence regarding the effects of exercise interventions on frailty among pre-frail older adults, a key population given their significant potential for functional, physical, and mental health improvement.Trial registrationNCT03568084. Registered 26 June 2018. Date of enrollment of the first participant to the trial: July 2nd 2018.

Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review of the literature is to examine the cerebrovascular and cardiovascular effects on cognition in persons with Parkinson's disease. Relevance: Physical therapy treatment of persons with Parkinson's disease (PD) has traditionally focused on lessening the impact of disease severity by improving quality of life and functional capacity. Research has shown that quality of life in persons with PD is not only significantly affected by motor symptoms, but also by the presence of defined non-motor symptoms such as cerebrovascular perfusion, cardiovascular dysfunction, and cognitive impairment. This study seeks to determine a causative effect among these non-motor symptoms with the intention to better manage cognitive impairment in persons with PD. Methods: A literature search was conducted utilizing the following databases: Scopus, PubMed, and CINAHL. After evaluating and grading studies using the Downs and Black Checklist, a total of seven studies remained for the final review. Results: Five common domains of cognition emerged throughout the seven studies: executive function, attention, verbal memory and fluency, visual memory, and working memory. Considering the articles reviewed, a relationship between cerebrovascular and cardiovascular deficiency and cognitive impairment in persons with PD was established. Conclusions: Persons with PD and certain cerebrovascular and cardiovascular risk factors, including orthostatic hypotension and systemic hypertension, should be referred to appropriate professionals for comprehensive neuropsychological testing secondary to an increased risk for more severe cognitive deficit.

Date Presented 03/28/20 More than half of all surgical patients are age 65 and older, and research suggests that a majority of these patients will require post-acute-care rehabilitation services (PAC). Despite growing healthcare costs, characteristics influencing PAC needs in the elderly abdominal-surgery population are not well studied. This project aims to describe discharge trends, as well as factors related to requiring placement at a skilled-nursing facility in the elderly abdominal-surgery population. Primary Author and Speaker: Erika Dobson Contributing Authors: Hailey Zanette, Rebecca Julian

Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations. More than half of all surgical patients are age 65 and older, and research suggests that a majority of these patients will require postacute-care (PAC) rehabilitation services. Despite the growing costs, characteristics related to requiring PAC in the elderly abdominal surgery population are not well studied. This project aims to describe discharge trends, as well as factors related to requiring placement at a skilled-nursing facility in the elderly abdominal surgery population. Primary Author and Speaker: Erika Dobson Contributing Authors: Rebecca Julian, Hailey Zanette