Effectiveness of a Combined Intervention on Psychological and Physical Capacities of Frail Older Adults: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Older adults experience physical and psychological declines affecting independency. Adapted and structured combined interventions composed of cognitive stimulation and physical exercise contribute to comorbidities’ reduction. Methods: Multicenter single-blinded two-arm cluster randomized controlled trial conducted to assess effectiveness of a combined intervention (CI), composed of a cognitive stimulation program (CSP) and a physical exercise program (PEP), on psychological and physical capacities of frail older adults as to on their activities of daily living. Were recruited 50 subjects from two elderly end-user organizations. Of these, 44 (65.9% females, mean age of 80.5 ± 8.47 years) were considered eligible, being randomly allocated in experimental (EG) or control group (CG). Data collected at baseline and post-intervention. EG received CI three times a week during 12 weeks. CG received standard care. Non-parametric measures were considered. Results: At baseline, groups were equivalent for study outcomes. The comparison of pre- and post-intervention data revealed that subjects receiving CI reduced depressive symptomatology and risk of fall based on gait and balance, and improved gait speed. Simultaneously, in the CG a significant decline on activities of daily living was observed. Significant results were found among biomechanical parameters of gait (BPG). EG’ effect size revealed to be small (0.2 ≤ r < 0.5). CG’ effect size was also small; but for activities of daily living there was an evident decrease. Conclusion: The CI is effective on managing older adults’ psychological and physical capacities.

Satisfaction with Life, Subjective Well-Being and Functional Skills in Active Older Adults Based on Their Level of Physical Activity Practice

“…As with the previous variables investigated here, there are a few studies that have been carried out on active older adults without physical deterioration or pathology. Previous works confirmed an improvement in performance of daily activities by the older adults studied, but their results were not separated by intensity [13].…”

“…In addition to this, many authors have shown that physical activity improves the functional abilities of older adults [9][10][11] as well as their quality of life [12]. In a combined intervention study of physical activity and cognitive stimulation carried out in a sample of 50 older adults where 44 were women [13], an improvement in the functional abilities and activities of daily living were observed. Moreover, a recent review on this subject [14], concluded that combined strength and aerobic training causes improvements in the functional capacity and quality of life of older adults.…”

Definition‐specific prevalence estimates for sarcopenia in an Australian population: the Geelong Osteoporosis Study

“…BMI was calculated as weight/height 2 , and BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m 2 was recognized as obesity. 21 Lean mass (kilogram), a proxy measure for muscle mass, was obtained from whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (Lunar Prodigy-Pro, Madison, WI, USA), which provided lean mass measures for appendicular lean mass (ALM), equivalent to the sum of lean mass for the arms and legs. ALM was expressed relative to height as ALM/height 2 (kilograms per square metre) or BMI as ALM/BMI (square metre).…”

“…Weight and height were measured to the nearest ±0.1 kg and ±0.001, m and body mass index (BMI) was calculated as weight/height 2 (kilograms per square metre). BMI was calculated as weight/height 2 , and BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m 2 was recognized as obesity 21 . Lean mass (kilogram), a proxy measure for muscle mass, was obtained from whole‐body dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (Lunar Prodigy‐Pro, Madison, WI, USA), which provided lean mass measures for appendicular lean mass (ALM), equivalent to the sum of lean mass for the arms and legs.…”

Nutritional interventions for the management of frailty in older adults: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

“…Although several systematic reviews of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on the management of frailty have been published, [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] those reviews emphasized interventions associated with physical activity and exercise whilst nutritional interventions were assessed briefly and in a secondary manner, if at all. Hence, although nutrition is considered an important intervention for the management of frailty, the actual effectiveness of interventions addressing nutrition in frail older people remains unclear.…”