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

João Apóstolo, Maria dos Anjos Dixe, Elzbieta Bobrowicz-Campos, Timóteo Areosa, Rita Santos-Rocha, Mónica Braúna, Jaime Ribeiro, Isabel Marques, Joana Freitas, Maria de Lurdes Almeida and Filipa Couto
Additional contact information
João Apóstolo: Nursing, Nursing School of Coimbra (ESEnfC), The Health Sciences Research Unit, a Collaborator of The PORTUGAL Centre for Evidence-Based Practice: A Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Centre of Excellence (PCEBP), 3046-851 Coimbra, Portugal
Maria dos Anjos Dixe: Centre for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechCare), Polytechnic Institute of Leiria (IPLeiria), 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
Elzbieta Bobrowicz-Campos: Nursing, Nursing School of Coimbra, The Health Sciences Research Unit, 3046-851 Coimbra, Portugal
Timóteo Areosa: Centre for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechCare), Polytechnic Institute of Leiria (IPLeiria), 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
Rita Santos-Rocha: Sports Sciences School of Rio Maior (ESDRM), Polytechnic Institute of Santarém (IPSantarém), 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal
Mónica Braúna: Centre for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechCare), Polytechnic Institute of Leiria (IPLeiria), 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
Jaime Ribeiro: Centre for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechCare), Polytechnic Institute of Leiria (IPLeiria), 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
Isabel Marques: Nursing, Nursing School of Coimbra, The Health Sciences Research Unit, 3046-851 Coimbra, Portugal
Joana Freitas: Interdisciplinary Centre for the Study of Human Performance-Faculty of Human Kinetics-University of Lisbon, 1499-002 Cruz-Quebrada, Portugal
Maria de Lurdes Almeida: Nursing, Nursing School of Coimbra, The Health Sciences Research Unit, 3046-851 Coimbra, Portugal
Filipa Couto: Nursing, Nursing School of Coimbra, The Health Sciences Research Unit, 3046-851 Coimbra, Portugal

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 17, 1-18

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.

Keywords: older adults; frailty; combined intervention; cognitive stimulation; Animal-Assisted activities; physical exercise; depressive symptomatology; gait analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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