Effects of physical and cognitive training on gait speed and cognition in older adults: A randomized controlled trial.

Gait speed is a measure of health and functioning. Physical and cognitive determinants of gait are amenable to interventions, but best practices remain unclear. We investigated the effects of a 12-month physical and cognitive training (PTCT) on gait speed, dual-task cost in gait speed, and executive functions (EFs) compared with physical training (PT) (ISRCTN52388040). Community-dwelling older adults, who did not meet physical activity recommendations, were recruited (n = 314). PT included supervised walking/balance (once weekly) and resistance/balance training (once weekly), home exercises (2-3 times weekly), and moderate aerobic activity 150 min/week in bouts of >10 min. PTCT included the PT and computer training (CT) on EFs 15-20 min, 3-4 times weekly. The primary outcome was gait speed. Secondary outcomes were 6-min walking distance, dual-task cost in gait speed, and EF (Stroop and Trail Making B-A). The trial was completed by 93% of the participants (age 74.5 [SD3.8] years; 60% women). Mean adherence to supervised sessions was 59%-72% in PT and 62%-77% in PTCT. Home exercises and CT were performed on average 1.9 times/week. Weekly minutes spent in aerobic activities were 188 (median 169) in PT and 207 (median 180) in PTCT. No significant interactions were observed for gait speed (PTCT-PT, 0.02; 95%CI -0.03, 0.08), walking distance (-3.8; -16.9, 9.3) or dual-task cost (-0.22; -1.74, 1.30). Stroop improvement was greater after PTCT than PT (-6.9; -13.0, -0.8). Complementing physical training with EFs training is not essential for promotion of gait speed. For EF's, complementing physical training with targeted cognitive training provides additional benefit.

Promoting safe walking among older people: the effects of a physical and cognitive training intervention vs. physical training alone on mobility and falls among older community-dwelling men and women (the PASSWORD study): design and methods of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Safe and stable walking is a complex process involving the interaction of neuromuscular, sensory and cognitive functions. As physical and cognitive functions deteriorate with ageing, training of both functions may have more beneficial effects on walking and falls prevention than either alone. This article describes the study design, recruitment strategies and interventions of the PASSWORD study investigating whether a combination of physical and cognitive training (PTCT) has greater effects on walking speed, dual-task cost in walking speed, fall incidence and executive functions compared to physical training (PT) alone among 70-85-year-old community-dwelling sedentary or at most moderately physically active men and women. METHODS: Community-dwelling sedentary or at most moderately physically active, men and women living in the city of Jyväskylä will be recruited and randomized into physical training (PT) and physical and cognitive training (PTCT). The 12-month interventions include supervised training sessions and home exercises. Both groups attend physical training intervention, which follows the current physical activity guidelines. The PTCT group performes also a web-based computer program targeting executive functions. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and at 6 and 12 months thereafter. Falls data are collected during the interventions and the subsequent one-year follow-up. The primary outcome is 10-m walking speed. Secondary outcomes include 6-min walking distance, dual-task cost in walking speed, fall incidence and executive function assessed with color Stroop and Trail Making A and B tests. Explanatory outcomes include e.g. body composition and bone characteristics, physical performance, physical activity, life-space mobility, fall-related self-efficacy, emotional well-being and personality characteristics. DISCUSSION: The study is designed to capture the additive and possible synergistic effects of physical and cognitive training. When completed, the study will provide new knowledge on the effects of physical and cognitive training on the prevention of walking limitations and rate of falls in older people. The expected results will be of value in informing strategies designed to promote safe walking among older people and may have a significant health and socio-economic impact. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN52388040 .

Effects of a home-based physical rehabilitation program on physical disability after hip fracture: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Fewer than half of the patients with hip fracture will regain the prefracture level of physical functioning. This secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of a multicomponent home-based rehabilitation program (ProMo) on physical disability after hip fracture. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled, parallel-group trial. SETTING: Rehabilitation in participants' homes; measurements in university-based laboratory and local hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Population-based clinical sample of community-dwelling people older than 60 years (n = 81) operated for hip fracture were randomized into intervention and control groups. INTERVENTION: The year-long intervention aimed at restoring mobility. It included evaluation and modification of environmental hazards, guidance for safe walking, pain management, home exercise, physical activity counseling, and standard care. MEASUREMENTS: Physical disability was assessed by a questionnaire at baseline, and 3, 6, and 12 months thereafter. Sum scores were computed for basic (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). A higher score indicated more difficulty. GEE models were constructed to analyze the effect of the intervention. RESULTS: In the intention-to-treat analysis, no intervention effect was observed for sum scores. For the single disability items, borderline significant positive effects were observed for preparing food and handling medication (interaction P = .061 and P = .061, respectively). In the per-protocol analysis, the mean differences between groups were -0.4 points (SE 0.5), -1.7 (0.7), and -1.2 (0.7) at 3, 6, and 12 months for ADLs and -1.0 (1.2), -3.2 (1.5), and -2.5 (1.4) for IADLs, correspondingly. CONCLUSION: The current analyses suggest that home-based rehabilitation may reduce disability among older people after hip fracture. The present results need to be confirmed in a study with larger sample size. Potentially a more task-oriented rehabilitation approach might gain more benefits. Current Controlled Trials (ISRCTN53680197).

Effects of a multicomponent home-based physical rehabilitation program on mobility recovery after hip fracture: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether a home-based rehabilitation program for community-dwelling older people with recent hip fracture is more effective than standard care in improving mobility recovery and reducing disability. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled, parallel-group trial. SETTING: Rehabilitation in participants' homes; measurements in university-based laboratory and local hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Clinical population of community-dwelling men and women (aged 60+) recovering from hip fracture. Participants were randomly assigned into control (n = 41) or intervention (n = 40) groups on average 42 ± 23 days after discharge home. INTERVENTION: A yearlong multicomponent home-based rehabilitation aimed at promoting mobility recovery and physical functional capacity after hip fracture. The intervention included evaluation and modification of environmental hazards, guidance for safe walking, nonpharmacological pain management, a progressive home exercise program, physical activity counseling, and standard care. MEASUREMENTS: Measurements were outlined according to the tiers of the disablement process, with the ability to negotiate stairs as the main outcome. Prefracture ability to negotiate stairs was enquired at the hospital on average 10 ± 5 days after fracture. Subsequently, current perceived ability to negotiate stairs was reported immediately before the intervention (on average 9 weeks after surgery) and 3, 6, and 12 months thereafter. Other measurements included leg extension power deficit (LEP), functional balance (Berg Balance Scale) and lower extremity performance (Short Physical Performance Battery). Effects of the intervention were analyzed with generalized estimation equations and longitudinal repeated measures mixture path models. RESULTS: The intervention reduced perceived difficulties in negotiating stairs (interaction, group × time P = .001) from prefracture to 12 months compared with the control condition. The mixture path model revealed that less difficulty in negotiating stairs at 6 and 12 months correlated with better functional balance at 3 and 6 months in the intervention group but not controls (group difference P = .007 and P < .001, respectively). CONCLUSION: The individualized home-based rehabilitation program improved mobility recovery after hip fracture over standard care. To be efficacious in reducing or reversing disability after hip fracture, rehabilitation needs to be individualized, include many components, be progressive, and span a sufficiently long period. Current Controlled Trials (ISRCTN53680197).

Promoting mobility after hip fracture (ProMo): study protocol and selected baseline results of a year-long randomized controlled trial among community-dwelling older people.

BACKGROUND: To cope at their homes, community-dwelling older people surviving a hip fracture need a sufficient amount of functional ability and mobility. There is a lack of evidence on the best practices supporting recovery after hip fracture. The purpose of this article is to describe the design, intervention and demographic baseline results of a study investigating the effects of a rehabilitation program aiming to restore mobility and functional capacity among community-dwelling participants after hip fracture. METHODS/DESIGN: Population-based sample of over 60-year-old community-dwelling men and women operated for hip fracture (n = 81, mean age 79 years, 78% were women) participated in this study and were randomly allocated into control (Standard Care) and ProMo intervention groups on average 10 weeks post fracture and 6 weeks after discharged to home. Standard Care included written home exercise program with 5-7 exercises for lower limbs. Of all participants, 12 got a referral to physiotherapy. After discharged to home, only 50% adhered to Standard Care. None of the participants were followed-up for Standard Care or mobility recovery. ProMo-intervention included Standard Care and a year-long program including evaluation/modification of environmental hazards, guidance for safe walking, pain management, progressive home exercise program and physical activity counseling. Measurements included a comprehensive battery of laboratory tests and self-report on mobility limitation, disability, physical functional capacity and health as well as assessments for the key prerequisites for mobility, disability and functional capacity. All assessments were performed blinded at the research laboratory. No significant differences were observed between intervention and control groups in any of the demographic variables. DISCUSSION: Ten weeks post hip fracture only half of the participants were compliant to Standard Care. No follow-up for Standard Care or mobility recovery occurred. There is a need for rehabilitation and follow-up for mobility recovery after hip fracture. However, the effectiveness of the ProMo program can only be assessed at the end of the study. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN53680197.

Changes in postural balance in frail elderly women during a 4-week visual feedback training: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Balance training programs have not shown consistent results among older adults, and it remains unclear how different training methods can be adapted to frail elderly people. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a 4-week visual feedback-based balance training on the postural control of frail elderly women living in residential care homes. METHODS: Elderly women of two residential care facilities were randomized to an exercise group (EG, n = 20) and to a control group (CG, n = 7). The EG participated in training sessions three times/week for 4 weeks. The exercises were carried out with a computerized force platform with visual feedback screen. The dimensions of balance function studied were standing body sway, dynamic weight shifting, and Berg Balance Scale performance. RESULTS: The EG showed significant improvement in balance functions. The performance time in dynamic balance tests improved on average by 35.9% compared with a 0.6% increase in the CG (p = 0.025-0.193). The performance distance in these tests decreased on average by 28.2% in the EG as compared with a 9.8% decrease seen in the CG. The Berg Balance Scale performance improved by 6.9% compared with a 0.7% increase in the CG (p = 0.003). The standing balance tests in the more demanding standing positions showed improvements in the EG, whereas similar changes in the CG were not found. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that balance training based on visual feedback improves the balance control in frail elderly women living in residential care, also enhancing the performance of functional balancing tasks relevant to daily living. The subjects were motivated to participate in the training, as indicated by the high compliance (97.5%) with the program.