Behavior changes by a buddy‐style intervention including physical training, and nutritional and social support

Abstract

AimPrevious 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.MethodsA 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.ResultsIn 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.ConclusionsA “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.

Effectiveness of combined exercise and nutrition interventions in prefrail or frail older hospitalised patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“… *Luger et al 33 –Haider et al 34 , Winzer et al 35 , Kapan et al 36 , Kapan et al 37 , Haider et al 38 . …”

“…Second, Cameron et al 29 reported on frailty and some physical function outcomes, with other physical function outcomes in a secondary publication,30 fall rates31 and cost-analysis in another 32. Third, Luger et al 33 reported on frailty and nutritional status, with physical functioning outcomes across two other publications,34 35 fall efficacy36,QoL37 and biomarkers 38. For clarity, the primary articles that report frailty or physical function outcomes are cited for descriptive data in tables 1–3 while individual articles are cited for synthesis of outcome results.…”

“…BMI presented in mean±SD.Multiple articles reported from same study, study chosen to represent other reports from the same study are mentioned in footnotes *, † and ‡.*Luger et al 33–Haider et al 34, Winzer et al 35, Kapan et al 36, Kapan et al 37 Haider et al 38.†Cameron et al 27–Fairhall et al 28, Fairhall et al 29, Fairhall et al 30.‡Villareal et al 27–Armamento-Villareal et al 28.ACG, attention control group; ADL, activities of daily living; BMI, body mass index; CHF, chronic heart failure; IADL, instrumental activities of daily living; IG, intervention group; LL, lower limb; LOS, length of stay; m, months; NR, not reported; PPT, physical performance test; SHARE-FI, Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe-Frailty Instrument; T2DM, type 2 diabetes mellitus; UCG, usual care group; VO 2 , maximal oxygen uptake; w, weeks; y, years.…”

“…Key: +=low risk of bias; ?=some concerns of risk of bias; − =high risk of bias.Deviations from intended interventions (effect starting and adhering to intervention).Multiple articles reported from same study, study chosen to represent other reports from the same study are mentioned in footnotes *, † and ‡.*Luger et al 33–Haider et al 34, Winzer et al 35, Kapan et al 36, Kapan et al 37, Haider et al 38.†Cameron et al 29–Fairhall et al 30, Fairhall et al 31, Fairhall et al 32.‡Villareal et al 27–Armamento-Villareal et al 28 .…”

Effects of Reablement on the Independence of Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Mild Disability: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Multicomponent interventions are expected to have better effects on enhancing independence than single-component interventions (e.g., a physical activity program alone). However, the efficacy of multicomponent interventions has not been adequately evaluated among community-dwelling older adults with mild disability, to date [7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16].…”