Feasibility of a Novel Geriatric Rehabilitation Program for People With COPD-induced Malnutrition and Muscle Wasting: A Qualitative Study.

Background and Purpose: Patients with COPD-induced malnutrition and muscle wasting are often frail. Consequently, traditional rehabilitation may be even counterproductive due to energy costs and there is a need for specialized rehabilitation programs, which are lacking for these patients. We developed such a program, which includes resistance training, following Nonlinear Periodized Exercise principles and physical energy management, in combination with a restriction of physical activities. The purpose of the study was to investigate the feasibility and the potential effects of this program. Methods: Patients who are eligible for the program are those with COPD gold III/IV and a fat free mass index below standard. We conducted a qualitative feasibility study and interviewed both patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs), using a deductive approach. The open interviews were qualitatively analyzed focussing on six areas of Bowens' feasibility model: acceptability, demand, implementation, practicality, limited efficacy, and integration. Results and discussions: Seven patients and seven HCPs were interviewed. For patients, key factors that helped to adhere to the program were knowledge about energy management, alternative skills to cope with COPD, and social support. They found the program beneficial. However, several patients considered a limitation of walking and ADL activities challenging. HCPs considered the program feasible and beneficial especially for those patients who accept they need a behavior change and who adhere to the program. For HCPs, key factors were the consistent approach and coaching skills of the multidisciplinary team members, and the monitoring role of the nurses. The limitation of physical activity and endurance training deviates from existing geriatric rehabilitation programs which propagate functional activity and training. Still, evidence from the current study suggests that our tailored approach for these patients might be more appropriate and also potentially effective without harm for physical function. Conclusions: Our novel, multidisciplinary rehabilitation program is considered feasible and clinically relevant by both patients and healthcare professionals. The next step is to explore its effects on muscle strength, physical functioning, and quality of life.

Effectiveness and characteristics of physical fitness training on aerobic fitness in vulnerable older adults: an umbrella review of systematic reviews.

OBJECTIVES: To present an overview of effectiveness and training characteristics of physical training on aerobic fitness, compared with alternative or no training, in adults aged over 65 years with various health statuses, providing a basis for guidelines for aerobic training of vulnerable older adults that can be used in geriatric rehabilitation. DESIGN: An umbrella review of systematic reviews that included both randomised controlled trials and other types of trials. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library were searched on 9 September 2019. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: We included systematic reviews reporting on physical training interventions that are expected to improve aerobic fitness, presenting results for adults aged 65 years and older, describing at least one of the FITT-characteristics: Frequency, Intensity, Time or Type of exercise, and measuring aerobic fitness at least before and after the intervention. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Two independent reviewers extracted the data and assessed the risk of bias. A narrative synthesis was performed. RESULTS: We included 51 papers on 49 reviews. Positive effect of training on aerobic fitness was reported by 33 reviews, 11 reviews remained inconclusive and 5 reviews reported no effect. Training characteristics varied largely. Frequency: 1-35 sessions/week, Intensity: light-vigorous, Time: <10-120 min/session and Types of exercise: many. The methodological quality was most often low. Subgroup analyses revealed positive effects for all health conditions except for trauma patients. Exercise characteristics from current existing guidelines are widely applicable. For vulnerable older adults, lower intensities and lower frequencies were beneficial. Some health conditions require specific adjustments. Information on adverse events was often lacking, but their occurrence seemed rare. CONCLUSION: Physical fitness training can be effective for vulnerable older adults. Exercise characteristics from current existing guidelines are widely applicable, although lower frequencies and intensities are also beneficial. For some conditions, adjustments are advised. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020140575.

Psychometrics of the observational scales of the Utrecht Scale for Evaluation of Rehabilitation (USER): Content and structural validity, internal consistency and reliability.

INTRODUCTION: Establish content and structural validity, internal consistency, inter-rater reliability, and measurement error of the physical and cognitive scales of the Utrecht Scale for Evaluation clinical Rehabilitation (USER) in geriatric rehabilitation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: First, an expert consensus-meeting (N=7) was organised for content validity wherein scale content validity index (CVI) was measured. Second, in a sample of geriatric rehabilitation patient structural validity (N=616) was assessed by confirmatory factor analyses for exploring unidimensionality. Cut-off criteria were: Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) ≤0.08; Comparative Fit Index (CFI) and Tucker Lewis Index (TLI) ≥0.95. Local independence (residual correlation<0.20) and monotonicity (Hi-coefficient ≥0.30 and Hs-coefficient ≥0.50) were also calculated. Cronbach alphas were calculated for internal consistency. Alpha's > 0.7 was considered adequate. Third, two nurses independently administered the USER to 37 patients. Intraclass-correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated for inter-rater reliability (IRR), standard error of measurement (SEM) and Smallest Detectable Change (SDC). RESULTS: The CVI for physical functioning was moderate (0.73) and excellent for cognitive functioning (0.97). Structural validity physical scale was acceptable (CFI;0.95, TLI;0.93, RMSEA;0.07, ECV;0.78, OmegaH;0.87; Monotonicity;(Hi;0.52-0.75 and Hs;0.63)). Cognitive scale was good (CFI;0.98, TLI;0.96, RMSEA;0.05, ECV;0.66 and OmegaH;0.90. Monotonicity;(Hi;0.30 -0.70 and Hs;0.61)). Cronbach's alpha were high: physical scale;0.92 and cognitive scale;0.94. Reliability physical scale ICC;0.94, SEM;5 and SDC;14 and cognitive scale ICC;0.88, SEM;5 and SDC;13. CONCLUSION: The observational scales of the USER have shown sufficient content and structural validity, internal consistency, and interrater reliability for measuring physical and cognitive function in geriatric rehabilitation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: N/A.

A Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Short Form for Measuring Physical Function During Geriatric Rehabilitation: Test-Retest Reliability, Construct Validity, Responsiveness, and Interpretability.

OBJECTIVES: To study the test-retest reliability and measurement error, construct validity, responsiveness, interpretability, and floor/ceiling effects of a Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) short form designed to measure physical function in geriatric rehabilitation patients (PROMIS-PF-GR). DESIGN: Prospective cohort. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Inpatient geriatric rehabilitation patients. METHODS: We evaluated the test-retest reliability by re-administering PROMIS-PF-GR 3 to 5 days after the admission measurement. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to determine test-retest reliability; an ICC of ≥0.70 was considered sufficient. Measurement error was established by calculating the standard error of measurement and smallest detectable change. Construct validity and responsiveness were determined by testing a priori formulated hypotheses (criterion: ≥75% hypothesis not rejected). Interpretability was evaluated by calculating the minimal important change using predictive modeling and a global rating as criterion for change. Floor/ceiling effects were established by calculating the percentage patients with the minimum/maximum raw score (criterion: ≤15%) at admission and discharge. RESULTS: A total of 207 patients participated in the study [mean ± standard deviation age (80 ± 8.3 years), 58% female]. More than one-half of patients (56%) reported to be improved during rehabilitation. The ICC was 0.79 (95% confidence interval 0.70-0.84), the standardized error of measurement was 3.8, and the smallest detectable change 10.6. None of the 4 hypotheses for construct validity were rejected; 2 out of 5 hypotheses for responsiveness were rejected. The minimal important change was 8.0 (95% confidence interval 4.1-12.5). No floor/ceiling effects were found. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The PROMIS-PG-GR showed sufficient test-retest reliability, measurement error, and construct validity. We did not find sufficient evidence for responsiveness, which may be due to the unexplained weak correlation between the PROMIS change score and the Global Rating Scale. We still recommend the use the PROMIS-PG-GR for measuring self-reported physical function in geriatric rehabilitation.

Measurement Properties of the Barthel Index in Geriatric Rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE: The Barthel index (BI) is a widely used observer-based instrument to measure physical function. Our objective is to assess the structural validity, reliability, and interpretability of the BI in the geriatric rehabilitation setting. DESIGN: Two studies were performed. First, a prospective cohort study was performed in which the attending nurses completed the BI at admittance and discharge (n = 207). At discharge, patients rated their change in physical function on a 5-point Likert rating scale. To assess the internal structure of the BI, a confirmatory factor analysis was performed. Unidimensionality was defined by comparative fit index and Tucker-Lewis index of >0.95, and root mean square error of approximation of <0.06. To evaluate interpretability, floor/ceiling effects and the minimal important change (MIC) were assessed. Predictive modeling was used to calculate the MIC. The MIC was defined as going home and minimal patient-reported improvement defined as slightly or much improved physical function, which served as anchors to obtain a clinical- and patient-based MIC. A second group of 37 geriatric rehabilitation patients were repeatedly assessed by 2 attending nurses to assess reliability of the BI. The intraclass correlation coefficient, standard error of measurement, and smallest detectable change were calculated. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Patients receiving inpatient geriatric rehabilitation admitted to 11 Dutch nursing homes (n = 244). RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis showed partly acceptable fit of a unidimensional model (comparative fit index 0.96, Tucker-Lewis index 0.95, and root mean square error of approximation 0.12). The clinical-based MIC was 3.1 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.0-4.2] and the patient-based MIC was 3.6 (95% CI 2.8-4.3). The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.96 (95% CI 0.93-0.98). The standard error of measurement and smallest detectable change were 1.1 and 3.0 points, respectively. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: The structural validity, reliability, and interpretability of the BI are considered sufficient for measuring and interpreting changes in physical function of geriatric rehabilitation patients.

Goal-setting in geriatric rehabilitation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE:: To explore the effect of goal-setting on physical functioning, quality of life and duration of rehabilitation in geriatric rehabilitation compared to care as usual. DATA SOURCES:: Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library were searched from initiation to October 2018. METHODS:: We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), controlled before-after studies and studies using historic controls of older patients (mean age ⩾55 years) receiving rehabilitation for acquired disabilities. Our primary outcome was physical functioning; secondary outcomes were quality of life and rehabilitation duration. Cochrane guidelines were used to assess the risk of bias of the studies and extract data. Only RCT data were pooled using standardized mean difference (SMD). RESULTS:: We included 14 studies consisting of a total of 1915 participants with a mean age ranging from 55 to 83 years. Ten out of the 14 studies had a randomized controlled design, 7 of which could be pooled for the primary outcome. The risk of bias was judged high in several domains in all included studies. The meta-analysis showed no statistically significant differences between goal-setting and care as usual for physical functioning (SMD -0.11 (-0.32 to 0.10)), quality of life (SMD 0.09 (-0.56 to 0.75)) and rehabilitation duration (MD 13.46 days (-2.46 to 29.38)). CONCLUSION:: We found low-quality evidence that goal-setting does not result in better physical functioning compared to care as usual in geriatric rehabilitation. For quality of life and duration of rehabilitation, we could not exclude a clinically relevant effect.

Patient-centred goal setting using functional outcome measures in geriatric rehabilitation: is it feasible?

BACKGROUND: Patient-centred goal setting is regarded as a beneficial intervention for geriatric rehabilitation. Nevertheless, its known laborious implementation in clinical practice remains an ongoing challenge. To improve implementation of patient-centred goal setting, the integration of goal setting with standardized measures has been proposed. Our objective of the current study was to explore the feasibility of Collaborative Functional Goal Setting (CFGS), i.e., using standardized functional measures to set and evaluate functional goals during geriatric rehabilitation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three medical professionals working in two geriatric rehabilitation wards were trained in CFGS and interviewed at the end of the study. We aimed at including 20 patients who underwent the CFGS intervention and could participate in open interviews. Both interviews of the professionals and patients were qualitatively analyzed. RESULTS: Eight patients were included in the study, five of which could be interviewed. Both patients and professionals expressed a need for patient-centred goal setting. Patients indicated that goals were mainly set by the professional and that a rehabilitation plan was either not presented or its content was not clear to them. In contrast, the professionals regarded CFGS as patient-centred and potentially helpful in facilitating the goal-setting process. Nevertheless, the professionals indicated having difficulty with the implementation of the intervention. CONCLUSION: In the current study, we demonstrated that patient-centred goal setting supported by functional measurements was not feasible in its present form which confirms the evidence from the literature that is difficult to perform patient-centred goal setting in clinical practice.