Rehabilitation of a Patient With Maxillary Defect and Severe Attrition Using Obturator Prostheses: A Case Report.

Surgery for palate lesions may result in oro-nasal/antral communication, which reduces a person's quality of life by affecting swallowing, speech, and food reflux. The shape and size of this obturator prosthesis might vary based on the severity of the defect. This case report describes the prosthetic rehabilitation of the patient with post-COVID mucormycosis and generalized attrition of teeth using an obturator and full mouth rehabilitation.

Hospital Length of Stay and Associated Factors in Patients with Osteoarthritis from Germany: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: There is a scarcity of data on hospital length of stay (LOS) in the osteoarthritis population. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate hospital LOS and associated factors in patients with osteoarthritis from Germany. Methods: The present cross-sectional study included patients hospitalized for osteoarthritis in one of fourteen hospitals in Germany between 2018 and 2023 (hospital database; IQVIA). The study outcome was the duration of hospital stay in days. Study covariables included age, sex, hospital department, osteoarthritis type, co-diagnosis, and hospitalization-related procedure. Associations between covariables and hospital LOS were analyzed using hierarchical linear regression models. Results: There were 8770 patients included in the study (mean [standard deviation] age 68.7 [10.8] years; 60.2% women). The mean (standard deviation) hospital LOS was 8.5 (5.0) days. Factors positively and significantly associated with hospital LOS were older age, female sex, orthopedic surgery and other medical specialty departments (compared with other surgery departments), knee and other and unspecified osteoarthritis (compared with hip osteoarthritis), multiple co-diagnoses (e.g., acute posthemorrhagic anemia, other disorders of fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance, and disorders of purine and pyrimidine metabolism), and several hospitalization-related procedures (i.e., geriatric rehabilitation, hip arthroplasty, and knee arthroplasty). Conclusions: The mean hospital LOS was higher than eight days in this osteoarthritis population from Germany, with a spectrum of demographic, clinical, and hospitalization-related factors associated with this hospital LOS. In this context, interventions are needed to reduce the LOS of hospitalizations for osteoarthritis in Germany.

Movement Patterns in Older Adults Recovering From Hip Fracture.

The aim of this study was to quantify physical activity and sedentary behavior in older adults recovering from hip fracture and to identify groups based on movement patterns. In this cross-sectional cohort study, older adults (≥70 years) were included 3 months after surgery for proximal femoral fracture. Patients received an accelerometer for 7 days. Demographics and outcomes related to physical function, mobility, cognitive functions, quality of life, and hip fracture were assessed. In total, 43 patients with sufficient accelerometer wear time were included. Across all groups, participants engaged in very low levels of physical activity, spending an average of 11 hr/day in prolonged sedentary behavior. Based on the extracted components from a principal component analysis, three groups with substantial differences in levels of physical activity and sedentary behavior could be distinguished.

A Device for Prehabilitation of Total Knee Replacement Surgery (Slider): Usability Study.

BACKGROUND: Rehabilitation, or "prehabilitation," is essential in preparing for and recovering from knee replacement surgery. The recent demand for these services has surpassed available resources, a situation further strained by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to a pivot toward digital solutions such as web- or app-based videos and wearables. These solutions, however, face challenges with user engagement, calibration requirements, and skin contact issues. This study evaluated the practicality of a low-contact, gamified device designed to assist with prehabilitation exercises. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to assess the practicality and user-friendliness of a newly designed physiotherapy device (Slider) that enables exercise monitoring without the need for direct contact with the skin. METHODS: A total of 17 patients awaiting knee replacement surgery at a UK National Health Service (NHS) hospital participated in this study. They used the device over a 2-week period and subsequently provided feedback through a usability and acceptability questionnaire. RESULTS: The study was completed by all participants, with a majority (13/17, 76%) finding the device intuitive and easy to use. The majority of patients were satisfied with the device's ability to meet their presurgery physiotherapy requirements (16/17, 94%) and expressed a willingness to continue using it (17/17, 100%). No safety issues or adverse effects were reported by the participants. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the device was found to be a feasible option for patients to conduct presurgery physiotherapy exercises independently, away from a clinical setting. Further research involving a larger and more diverse group of participants is recommended to validate these findings more robustly.

Effect of Whole-Body Vibration Training on Selected Intrinsic Risk Factors in Women Aged 60+ at Fall Risk: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The aim of the study was to determine whether Whole Body Vibration Training (WBVT) affects intrinsic risk factors for falls in women aged 60+ at fall risk. DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Blinding was applied to the persons in charge of evaluating the intervention's clinical results and statistical analysis. METHODS: Forty-two women over 60 years old were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG-12-week WBVT; n = 22) and a control group (CG-no additional physical activities; n = 20). Fear of falling was measured by the FES-I questionnaire, gait and dynamic balance using the Time-Up and Go test (TUG), aerobic endurance with the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and the functional strength of the lower body muscles with the 30-s Chair Stand Test (30SCST) at baseline and post-intervention. Additionally assayed were participants' blood concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6). RESULTS: The 12-week WBVT improves gait and balance (TUG, p = 0.009), exercise tolerance (6MWT, p = 0.001), and functional strength (30SCST; p = 0.027) but does not reduce the intensity of fear of falling (FES-I, p = 0.655) and the IL-6 serum concentration (p = 0.377). CONCLUSIONS: WBVT affects selected fall risk factors in women aged 60+ at fall risk.

Effect of aquatic resistance interval training and dietary education program on physical and psychological health in older women: Randomized controlled trial.

Due to demographic changes, the world's population is progressively aging. The physiological deterioration of the older adult may lead to reduced balance capacity and increased risk of falls, among others, due to the prevalence of degenerative diseases. Physical exercise can be effective in reducing the risk of disease and slowing functional decline in older people. The aim of the research is to test the effects of aquatic resistance training and dietary education on health indicators, strength, balance, functional autonomy, perception of satisfaction with life. Thirty-four participants aged 69 ± 4 years were randomly assigned into two groups: experimental (aquatic resistance interval training) and control group (no intervention). The intervention consisted of resistance training in an aquatic environment carried out for 14 weeks (three sessions per week: 60 min each). All variables were analyzed twice; pre - post intervention. Aquatic resistance training has positive effects on strength (p < 0.001), functional self-sufficiency (p < 0.001) and aerobic capacity (p < 0.001), however, no significant differences were observed in the perception of satisfaction with life and balance. Research results suggest that older women who engage in regular, scheduled aquatic resistance training have greater autonomy in performing activities of daily living, agility, gait control, and body composition variables (lower fat compartment and greater muscle mass).

Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of PATH FOR timely transfer of geriatric HIP fracture patients from hospital to rehabilitation to home (PATH4HIP): a protocol for a mixed method study.

BACKGROUND: Hip fractures in older adults are significant contributors to severe functional decline and disability as well as hospitalization and increased health care costs. Research shows that timely referral to geriatric rehabilitation leads to better patient outcomes. Currently, a wide variability in the timing, the frequency, and the choice of appropriate setting for rehabilitation of hip fracture patients exists. AIM: Evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of PATH4HIP, a pathway intervention for timely transfer of post-operative geriatric hip fracture patients from hospital to rehabilitation to home. METHODS: This is a single-arm, pragmatic feasibility study to measure reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance of PATH4HIP, a pathway for post-operative hip fracture patients from a large academic health science center to a geriatric rehabilitation service in Ottawa, Canada. During a 6-month period, all hip fracture patients, 65 years of age or older who have undergone surgery and have met the eligibility criteria (n = 96), will be transferred to the geriatric rehabilitation service no later than post-operative day 6. Patients (n = 10-12) and clinicians who are working on the orthopedic team (n = 10-12) and on the geriatric rehabilitation service (n = 10-12) will be invited to participate in an interview to share their feedback on the intervention's feasibility and acceptability and to provide suggestions to improve PATH4HIP. Descriptive statistics will be used to summarize results of the quantitative data and content analysis will be used to analyze the qualitative data. The study will be open for recruitment from January to July 2022. DISCUSSION: If feasible, PATH4HIP will result in the reduction of the post-operative acute care length of stay to less than or equal to 6 days, while having no detrimental effect on rehabilitation outcomes such as functional gains, or discharge destination.

Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications in stroke rehabilitation: prevalence and association with outcomes.

Background Evidence is scarce regarding polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in rehabilitation medicine. Aim To investigate the prevalence of polypharmacy and PIMs and their association with outcomes in stroke rehabilitation. Method A retrospective cohort study was conducted with 849 older inpatients post-stroke. Polypharmacy was defined as six or more medications, and PIMs were defined based on Beers criteria 2019. Study outcomes included functional independence measure (FIM)-motor, FIM-cognitive, energy intake, dysphagia, length of hospital stay, and the rate of home discharge. To consider the effect of pharmacotherapy during rehabilitation, multivariate analyses were used to determine whether the presence of polypharmacy or PIMs at discharge was associated with outcomes. Results After enrollment, 361 patients (mean age 78.3 ± 7.7 years; 49.3% male) were analyzed. Polypharmacy was observed in 43.8% and 62.9% of patients, and any PIMs were observed in 64.8% and 65.4% of patients at admission and discharge, respectively. The most frequently prescribed PIMs included antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, and proton pump inhibitors. Polypharmacy was negatively associated with FIM-motor score (ß = - 0.062, P = 0.049), FIM-cognitive score (ß = - 0.076, P = 0.014), energy intake (ß = - 0.143, P = 0.005), and home discharge (OR: 0.458; 95% CI: 0.248, 0.847; P = 0.013). PIMs were negatively associated with home discharge (OR: 0.375; 95% CI: 0.195, 0.718; P = 0.003). Conclusion Polypharmacy and PIMs are commonly found among older patients undergoing stroke rehabilitation. Moreover, polypharmacy was negatively associated with activities of daily living (ADL) but not with PIMs and ADLs, and both were associated with home discharge.

Barriers and Enablers to Early Identification, Referral and Access to Geriatric Rehabilitation Post-Hip Fracture: A Theory-Based Descriptive Qualitative Study.

Background: Geriatric hip fracture patients often experience gaps in care including variability in the timing and the choice of an appropriate setting for rehabilitation following hip fracture surgery. Many guidelines recommend standardized processes, including timely access of no later than day 6 to rehabilitation services. A pathway for early identification, referral and access to geriatric rehabilitation post-hip fracture was created to facilitate the implementation. The study aimed to describe the barriers and enablers prior to the implementation of this pathway. Methods: We conducted a qualitative descriptive study consisting of semi-structured interviews with geriatric hip fracture patients (n = 8), caregivers (n = 1), administrators (n = 12) and clinicians (n = 17) in 2 orthopaedics units and a geriatric rehabilitation service. Responses were analysed using a systematic approach, and overarching themes describing the barriers and enablers were identified. Results: The clinicians' and administrators' top barriers to implementation of the pathway were competing demands (n = 24); lack of bed availability, community resources and funding (n = 19); and the need for extended hours and increased staff (n = 16). The top 3 enablers were clear communication with patients (n = 27), awareness of the benefits of geriatric rehabilitation (n = 24) and the need for education and resources to properly use the pathway (n = 15). Common barriers among patients and caregivers included lack of care coordination, overcoming some of their own specific challenges during their transition, gaps in the information they received before discharge, not knowing what questions to ask and lack of resources. Despite these barriers, patients were generally pleased with their transition from the hospital to geriatric rehabilitation. Conclusion: We identified and described key barriers and enablers to early identification, referral and access to geriatric rehabilitation post-hip fracture. These influencing factors provide a basis for the development of a standardized pathway aimed at improving access to rehabilitative care for geriatric hip fracture patients.

Referral to geriatric rehabilitation: a scoping review of triage factors in acutely hospitalised older patients.

OBJECTIVE: Old or frail acutely hospitalised patients can benefit from geriatric rehabilitation but criteria concerning referral decisions are unclear. This review presents an overview of clinical factors associated with referral to geriatric rehabilitation that may further consensus between hospital and rehabilitation professionals on triage. DESIGN: Scoping review. METHODS: A review was conducted following Arksey and O'Malley's framework. The search included literature concerning a broad spectrum of acutely hospitalised patients and factors associated with their referral to geriatric rehabilitation. RESULTS: Selected abstracts were categorised into distinct geriatric rehabilitation care pathways such as stroke, hip fracture, amputation of lower limb, cardiac and oncologic rehabilitation. Abstracts on internal medical patients were further reviewed and 29 studies were included. A total of 13 studies focused on factors identifying rehabilitation needs and 16 on factors associated with outcome of geriatric rehabilitation. Triage factors were diverse and included frailty status, functional decline, cognitive symptoms and multimorbidity. Mood symptoms and living situation further specified post-acute care needs. In overview, triage factors could be characterised as demographic (n = 4), diagnosis-related (n = 8), mental (n = 6), functional (n = 10) or multi-domain (n = 12) and mapped in a transitional care pathway. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Frailty and functional decline are characteristics frequently associated with referral to geriatric rehabilitation of acutely hospitalised internal medical patients. A comprehensive geriatric assessment or a simpler multi-domain set of tests reveals rehabilitation needs and approximates a functional prognosis. Professional consensus on factors and timing of triage in hospital is within reach.

What do geriatric rehabilitation patients and experts consider relevant? Requirements for a digitalised e-coach for sustainable improvement of nutrition and physical activity in older adults - a qualitative focus group study.

BACKGROUND: During geriatric rehabilitation, attempts are made to increase the patients' health and functional capacity. In order to maintain these improvements in the medium- and long-term, behavioural changes regarding mobility and nutrition are also targeted, but these are often not sustainable. International studies show positive effects on the sustainability of the improvement of physical activity behaviour in healthy seniors through the use of electronic devices and software applications. Comparable approaches that include nutrition topics or combine them and were additionally developed for geriatric rehabilitation patients (≥70 years) to date are not known. The aim of this study was to identify what geriatric rehabilitation patients require from an electronic coaching system (e-coach) to support them in improving their nutritional and physical activity behaviour, and what content and features physiotherapists and dieticians consider relevant. METHOD: Focus group interviews (09-11/2019) were conducted in a geriatric rehabilitation centre in Germany with patients aged 70 years and older, relatives and experts (physiotherapists and nutritionists). The focus groups were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: Three focus groups with patients and relatives (n = 17, 65% female, 16 (94%) in age category 70-99 years) and one focus group with experts (2 dieticians and 1 physiotherapist) were conducted. Relevant contents and feedback elements for nutrition and physical activity in old age were identified. The patients' comments show that an e-coach must offer obvious benefits for the older persons and promote motivation in order to be used. The willingness to change nutrition and physical activity behaviour and the previous experiences in these areas are very heterogeneous, therefore content should be adaptable to different requirements. CONCLUSION: Experts and patients identified quite similar contents, barriers and facilitators for a nutrition and physical activity e-coach. The e-coach needs to be able to address different points of behaviour change, enable adaptations to the individual patient and convince the older person that using it will help them to improve their nutrition and physical activity. It is also important that the e-coach is easy to use and can be easily integrated into the patient's everyday life after rehabilitation.

Benefits of Adding an Aquatic Resistance Interval Training to a Nutritional Education on Body Composition, Body Image Perception and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Older Women.

The human population is increasing due to lengthening life expectancy, but the quality of life and health of people is moving in the opposite direction. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how aquatic resistance interval training can influence body composition, body image perception and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) in older women participants in a nutrition education program and to study the relation between these variables. Thirty-four participants aged 69 ± 4 years were randomly assigned into two groups: experimental (aquatic resistance interval training plus nutritional intervention) and control (nutritional intervention). The intervention consisted of resistance training in an aquatic environment carried out for 14 weeks (three sessions per week; 60 min each). Body composition, body image perception and adherence to MD diet were evaluated at baseline and 14 weeks. No significant differences were found between groups regarding body image perception and adherence to the MD. There was a significant increase in muscle mass (kg) (p < 0.001) and a significant decrease in fat mass (kg) (p < 0.001) in the intervention group when compared to the control group. The addition of aquatic resistance interval training to a nutritional intervention was not sufficient to change body image perception and adherence to MD but produced improvement in body composition (through an increase in muscle mass and decrease on fat mass) in older women.

Early Predictors for Discharge to Geriatric Rehabilitation after Hip Fracture Treatment of Older Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate early predictors for discharge to a geriatric rehabilitation department at a skilled nursing home in older patients after hospitalization for hip fracture surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Data from 21,176 patients with hip fracture aged ≥70 years, who were registered in the Dutch Hip Fracture Audit database between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2019, were included. METHODS: Patients were categorized into 3 discharge groups: home (n=7326), rehabilitation (n=11,738), and nursing home (n=2112). Age, gender, Pre-Fracture Mobility Score (PFMS), premorbid Katz index of independence in Activities of Daily Living (Katz-ADL), history of dementia, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification (ASA score), type of anesthesia, fracture type, surgical treatment, and cotreatment by a geriatrician were gathered. Multinomial regression analysis was used to assess for early predictors. RESULTS: Higher age, poor premorbid mobility, lower premorbid Katz-ADL, no history of dementia, ASA score 3-5, general anesthesia, intramedullary implant, and cotreatment by a geriatrician were independent predictors for discharge to geriatric rehabilitation vs discharge home. Identical predictors were found for discharge to a nursing home vs discharge home. History of dementia and premorbid Katz-ADL were distinguishing factors; a higher premorbid Katz-ADL and a history of dementia were associated with a higher risk of discharge to a nursing home vs discharge home. The multinomial regression model correctly predicted 86%, 38.6%, and 2.4% of the patients in the rehabilitation group, home group, and nursing home group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: This study showed that age, PFMS, premorbid Katz-ADL, surgical treatment, ASA score, type of anesthesia, history of dementia, and cotreatment by a geriatrician were independent early predictors for discharge to geriatric rehabilitation vs discharge home in older patients after hip fracture surgery. Identical predictors were found as predictors for discharge to a nursing home vs discharge home, except for history of dementia and premorbid Katz-ADL.

Translation, Reliability and Validity of the Spanish Version of the Modified New Mobility Score (NMS-ES).

The New Mobility Score (NMS) is an easy to administer self-report measure of functional ability, and is used worldwide as a hip fracture (HF) score, but a Spanish version does not exist. The aim of the study is to translate NMS into Spanish, and to measure its inter-rater reliability, internal consistency, and concurrent validity in a sample of Spanish speaking patients with HF. A reliability and validity study with a sample of 60 adults, 65 years or older (46 women and 14 men; mean age 81.7 years) with a hip fracture admitted consecutively to the acute trauma service of the Health Campus Hospital of Granada. The participants were interviewed during the first week after surgery by an occupational therapist or a physiotherapist. The statistical test used for analysis were: Cronbach's α coefficient, McNemar-Bowker test, Bland-Altman plot, Spearman´s Rho, and Mann-Whitney U test. The Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.90. No inter-rater systematic differences were found. We noted significant associations between the Spanish Version of the Modified New Mobility Score (NMS-ES) and selected health outcomes: Age, cognition, pre-fracture function, and basic mobility. The NMS-ES is a reliable and valid instrument to assess pre-injury functional levels for patients with HF in Spanish speaking countries.

Older patients with active cancer have favorable inpatient rehabilitation outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the characteristics and rehabilitation outcomes of older patients with active cancer (OPAC) undergoing post-acute inpatient rehabilitation (IR), and to evaluate which clinical factors are associated with poor rehabilitation outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of patients aged ≥65 with active cancer undergoing IR following acute hospitalization at our tertiary hospital centre (N = 330). We collected data on patient, malignancy, and hospitalization characteristics, and IR outcomes including function, mobility, discharge destination, and mortality. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression was used to identify independent associations with the composite outcome of death within three months or discharge to long-term care (LTC). RESULTS: Patient mean age was 80.1 ± 7.2 years. The most common malignancies were colon (30.9%) and hematologic (16.1%). Most patients were hospitalized urgently (64.8%) and underwent surgery (72.4%). From IR admission to discharge, patients ambulating independently increased from 14.0% to 52.0%. Discharge destination was to the community (80.4%), to LTC (7.6%), and transfer to an acute ward (7.2%), while 4.8% died during IR. One-year survival was 62.1%. The composite outcome was met by 24.8% of patients with multivariate logistic regression revealing independent associations (p < 0.05) with high baseline dependency, metastatic disease, low mobility score on IR admission, complications during acute care, and ≥ 75th percentile values for lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase. CONCLUSION: OPAC have favorable IR outcomes including high rate of community discharge, function and mobility gains, and lower mortality rates when compared with previously studied cancer rehabilitation populations. We identified several clinical markers associated with the composite outcome, which can guide post-acute discharge planning in patients with an unclear prognosis.

[Effect of ambulatory geriatric rehabilitation on polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication-an observational study]. / Effekt der ambulanten geriatrischen Komplexbehandlung auf Polypharmazie und potenziell inadäquate Arzneimittel ­ eine Beobachtungsstudie.

BACKGROUND: Ambulatory geriatric rehabilitation (AGR) is a prevention program for multimorbid patients with the contractual agreement to prevent the need for care and hospital admissions and to promote self-sufficiency. It provides an opportunity to reduce the prevalence of polypharmacy and to discontinue potentially inadequate medication (PIM). AIM: The study investigated the effect of AGR on the number of drugs and PIM. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The observational longitudinal study was based on claims data from the statutory health insurance AOK Nordost. A comparison of the prescribed drugs with the PRISCUS list was performed. The study investigated the effect of AGR on the number of drugs prescribed and PIM in the period of two quarterly periods before and two quarterly periods after AGR. The numbers of prescribed statins, opioids, antidementia drugs, proton pump inhibitors and antidepressants were assessed and grouped into further prescriptions, new prescriptions and discontinued drug prescriptions. RESULTS: Out of 699 participants 682 (73% women, mean age 79 years, SD ± 5 years) were analyzed. The number of substances and PIM remained at the same levels after AGR. Psycholeptic, antiphlogistic and psychoanaleptic drugs were the most frequently prescribed PIM. The majority of statins, opioids, antidementia drugs, proton pump inhibitors and antidepressants were prescribed further. Antidementia drugs were the medication with the most newly started prescriptions. CONCLUSION: The AGR has no influence on the number of prescribed drugs and PIM. A structured drug review and a conversation with the general practitioner should be strengthened to improve drug safety and reduce polypharmacy as well as undertreatment.

Geriatric rehabilitation in older patients with cardiovascular disease: a feasibility study.

PURPOSE: Cardiac rehabilitation in older patients after hospitalization because of cardiovascular disease is recommended. However, many older patients do not receive cardiac rehabilitation in daily practice, due to lack of referral and poor adherence. This can be related to impaired clinical and functional status of these patients, who are more likely to present with frailty, frequent comorbidities, and disability. Geriatric rehabilitation might be a possible solution to reduce barriers to cardiac rehabilitation attendance. We developed and implemented an inpatient geriatric rehabilitation programme that was provided immediately after discharge from the hospital, for older patients with a significant functional decline during hospital admission because of cardiovascular disease: 'the GR-cardio programme'. The primary aim of the present study is to investigate feasibility of the GR-cardio programme. METHODS: This is a retrospective real-life feasibility study describing a consecutive series of older patients receiving the GR-cardio programme, with no control group. All patients had been hospitalized because of cardiovascular disease. Data on patient characteristics, functional status, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), readmissions, and mortality were collected from the patients file on admission, at discharge and 6 months after discharge from the GR-cardio programme. Feasibility of the programme was evaluated using the following outcomes: recruitment, resulting sample characteristics, safety, and preliminary evaluation of patients' responses to the GR-cardio programme. RESULTS: In total, 58 patients [mean age 78.8 (± 9.8) years; 43% male] were included in the study. On admission, functional status and HRQoL were severely impaired but showed clinically relevant improvements. During the programme, three patients died. Eighty-three percent of all patients were discharged back home after completing the rehabilitation programme with a mean length of 38 days. Mortality rate during follow-up was the highest in patients with heart failure (32%). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that geriatric rehabilitation for patients with cardiovascular disease is feasible. Furthermore, our results show that the GR-cardio programme can probably offer substantial benefits for patients in terms of improving functional status and HRQoL.

Frailty Related Factors as Predictors of Functional Recovery in Geriatric Rehabilitation: The Sarcopenia And Function in Aging Rehabilitation (SAFARI) Multi-Centric study.

BACKGROUND: Frailty-related characteristics, such as sarcopenia, malnutrition and cognitive impairment, are often overlooked, both in clinical practice and research, as potential contributors to functional recovery during geriatric rehabilitation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to identify frailty-related characteristics associated with functional recovery in a cohort of post-orthopedic surgery and post-stroke older adults. DESIGN: Multi-centric cohort study. Participanst and Settings: Patients over 65 years, admitted to three geriatric rehabilitation units, in Spain and Italy, after an orthopedic event or a stroke, from December 2014 to May 2016. MEASUREMENTS: The Absolute Functional Gain (AFG) defined as the difference between Barthel Index score at discharge and at admission, and the Relative Functional Gain (RFG) that represents the percentage of recovery of the function lost due to the event, were selected as outcomes. Both outcomes were analyzed as continuous and dichotomous variables. Analyses were also stratified as diagnostic at admission. RESULTS: We enrolled 459 patients (mean age±SD=80.75±8.21 years), 66.2% women, 69.5% with orthopedic conditions and with a length of stay of 28.8±9.1 days. Admission after a stroke (Odds Ratio=0.36, 95% Confidence Interval=0.22-0.59]) and a better functional status at admission (OR=0.96, 95% CI=0.94-0.97), were associated with a lower likelihood of AFG, while a better pre-event Barthel index (OR=1.03 for each point in score, 95% CI=1.01-1.04), being able to walk (OR=2.07, 95% CI=1.16-3.70), and a better cognitive status at admission (OR=1.05, 95% CI=1.01-1.09), were associated with a higher chance of AFG. Post-stroke patients with delirium at admission had a re-duced chance of AFG (OR=0.25, 95% CI=0.07-0.91]). Patients admitted after an ortho-pedic event with better pre-event functional status (OR=1.04, 95% CI=1.02-1.06) and able to walk at admission (OR=2.79, 95% CI=1.29-6.03]) had an increased chance of AFG. Additionally, in both diagnostics groups, a better handgrip strength increased the chance of RFG. CONCLUSIONS: Among frailty-related variables, physical, cognitive and muscular function at admission could be relevant for functional improvement during geriatric reha-bilitation. If confirmed, this data might orient targeted interventions.

[Outcomes of multimorbid vascular surgery patients with and without major amputation in a German geriatric rehabilitation clinic]. / Ergebnisvergleich von multimorbiden gefäßchirurgischen Patienten mit und ohne Majoramputation in einer deutschen stationären geriatrischen Rehabilitationsklinik.

BACKGROUND: In the course of demographic developments, an increase of vascular surgical procedures including major amputations in very elderly, multimorbid geriatric patients is expected. Due to the high vulnerability of these patients, geriatric rehabilitation directly following the acute inpatient treatment is likely to improve the abilities of these patients. This issue is not well analyzed in Germany up to now. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study includes all patients who were admitted to our clinic for geriatric rehabilitation after vascular surgery between 01 June 2012 and 31 December 2013. Geriatric assessments at the time of admission and discharge were considered. The group was divided into rehabilitation patients with major limb amputation and nonmajor limb amputation. Both groups were analyzed with respect to functional parameters and activities in daily life (ADL) during the course of rehabilitation as well as the discharge location (home versus nursing home). RESULTS: A total of 30 major-limb-amputee and 77 nonmajor-limb-amputee rehabilitants could be analyzed. Before surgical intervention, 100 % of patients lived in a home care situation. The median age was 78.3 years. During rehabilitation, both groups showed highly significant improvements in ADL (Barthel index), Timed Up and Go test, walking distance, and stair climbing; however the nonmajor amputees surpassed the major amputees in most mobility assessments especially in the five chair-rising test. The rehabilitation time (median) was 41.8 days for major and 23.9 days for nonmajor amputees. More than 90 % of the rehabilitants in both groups could be discharged home. CONCLUSION: The data from this retrospective study indicate that even advanced old age, multimorbid patients benefit from geriatric rehabilitation after vascular surgery intervention. Although less distinct than the group of minor amputee rehabilitants, highly significant improvements were also demonstrated in the group of major amputee rehabilitants as assessed in the discharge mobility and ADL results compared to the admission assessment results. These improvements were achieved in an adequate time period and led to discharge into home care for the majority of patients.

Exergames versus self-regulated exercises with instruction leaflets to improve adherence during geriatric rehabilitation: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Improving mobility in elderly persons is a primary goal in geriatric rehabilitation. Self-regulated exercises with instruction leaflets are used to increase training volume but adherence is often low. Exergames may improve adherence. This study therefore compared exergames with self-regulated exercise using instruction leaflets. The primary outcome was adherence. Secondary outcomes were enjoyment, motivation and balance during walking. METHODS: Design: single center parallel group non-blinded randomized controlled trial with central stratified randomization. SETTING: center for geriatric inpatient rehabilitation. Included were patients over 65 with mobility restrictions who were able to perform self-regulated exercise. Patients were assigned to self-regulated exercise using a) exergames on Windows Kinect® (exergame group EG) or b) instruction leaflets (conventional group CG). During two 30 min sessions physical therapists instructed self-regulated exercise to be conducted twice daily during thirty minutes during ten working days. Patients reported adherence (primary outcome), enjoyment and motivation daily. Balance during walking was measured blind before and after the treatment phase with an accelerometer. Analysis was by intention to treat. Repeated measures mixed models and Cohen's d effect sizes (ES, moderate if >0.5, large if > 0.8) with 95% CIs were used to evaluate between-group effects over time. Alpha was set at 0.05. RESULTS: From June 2014 to December 2015 217 patients were evaluated and 54 included, 26 in the EG and 28 in the CG. Adverse effects were observed in two patients in the EG who stopped because of pain during exercising. Adherence was comparable at day one (38 min. in the EG and 42 min. in the CG) and significantly higher in the CG at day 10 (54 min. in the CG while decreasing to 28 min. in the EG, p = 0.007, ES 0.94, 0.39-0.151). Benefits favoring the CG were also observed for enjoyment (p = 0.001, ES 0.88, 0.32 - 1.44) and motivation (p = 0.046, ES 0.59, 0.05-1.14)). There was no between-group effect in balance during walking. CONCLUSIONS: Self-regulated exercise using instruction leaflets is superior to exergames regarding adherence, enjoyment and motivation in a geriatric inpatient rehabilitation setting. Effects were moderate to large. There was no between group difference in balance during walking. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02077049 , 6 February 2014.