Feasibility and Effects of a Physical Activity Program Using Gerontechnology in Assisted Living Communities for Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: The number of older adults residing in assisted living communities is increasing. Despite the benefits of physical activity (PA) on physical and cognitive capacities, and the opportunities for being active offered in these living environments, this population is highly sedentary and more at risk of physical decline. This study aimed to assess the feasibility, the acceptability, and the effects of PA intervention using gerontechnology in assisted living communities. METHODS: Forty-two older adults in 4 assisted living communities were recruited and randomly assigned to an exercise intervention group (EX) or a control group (CON) using a 2:1 ratio. The EX group followed a 12-week PA program (2 sessions per week) using gerontechnology. Body composition, health status, quality of life, and functional capacities were evaluated at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks after baseline. RESULTS: Differences between groups were observed in the number of reported comorbidities (EX: 3.1 ± 1.6 vs CON: 5.0 ± 1.8; P = .007), SF-36 total score (EX: 80% ± 10% vs CON: 66% ± 15%; P = .004), and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) total score (EX: 9.1 ± 1.8 vs CON: 7.5 ± 1.4; P = .006) at baseline. The EX group completed 89% ± 17% of the 24 prescribed sessions and realized 67% ± 13% of them in autonomy, reaching a quality level of 87% ± 6%. Of the EX participants, 93.8% enjoyed the exercises a lot or well, and 92.8% of them rated the exercises as being either easy or a little difficult. Changes between baseline and follow-up were statistically different between groups for walking speed (EX: +0.10 ± 0.20 vs CON: -0.04 ± 0.16 m/s; P = .04) and the SPPB score (EX: +1.1 ± 2.0 vs CON: -0.4 ± 1.6; P = .03). CONCLUSION: We found that PA intervention using gerontechnology in assisted living communities for older adults was feasible and acceptable, but more importantly induced improvement in functional capacities and walking speed, which is the main predictor of mortality in the elderly population.

The Effects of Physical Activity in Parkinson's Disease: A Review.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) is increasingly advocated as an adjunct intervention for individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the specific benefits of PA on the wide variety of impairments observed in patients with PD has yet to be clearly identified. OBJECTIVE: Highlight health parameters that are most likely to improve as a result of PA interventions in patients with PD. METHODS: We compiled results obtained from studies examining a PA intervention in patients with PD and who provided statistical analyses of their results. 868 outcome measures were extracted from 106 papers published from 1981 to 2015. The results were classified as having a statistically significant positive effect or no effect. Then, outcome measures were grouped into four main categories and further divided into sub-categories. RESULTS: Our review shows that PA seems most effective in improving Physical capacities and Physical and cognitive functional capacities. On the other hand, PA seems less efficient at improving Clinical symptoms of PD and Psychosocial aspects of life, with only 50% or less of results reporting positive effects. The impact of PA on Cognitive functions and Depression also appears weaker, but few studies have examined these outcomes. DISCUSSION: Our results indicate that PA interventions have a positive impact on physical capacities and functional capacities. However, the effect of PA on symptoms of the disease and psychosocial aspects of life are moderate and show more variability. This review also highlights the need for more research on the effects of PA on cognitive functions, depression as well as specific symptoms of PD.