The influence of a six week rehabilitation programme of low intensity on the functional fitness of elderly patients suffering from circulatory system diseases
Journal Title: Rehabilitacja Medyczna - Year 2010, Vol 14, Issue 2
Abstract
Introduction: The preservation of functional performance and the independence of elderly people is a challenge for rehabilitation today. Aim of the study: We aimed to investigate the effects of a 6-week, low-intensity rehabilitation program on functional fitness, assessed with a simple obstacle test, in elderly subjects.Material and Method: A retrospective analysis of data of 208 patients (mean age 73 ±5.5 yrs; 45 men) participating in a 6-week, ambulatory rehabilitation program for the older adults. The program included calisthenics, occupational and physical therapy, and massage. An obstacle test (OT) consisting of 4 stations (1. opening a door, 2. sitting and standing up from an armchair, 3. slalom, 4. crossing 3 obstacles of increasing height) was performed on admission and at discharge. The results are shown as total time (in seconds) and summarized score (0-3 points for each station).Results: The OT time strongly correlated to the score for the quality of the action (r = -0.84 at baseline and r = -0.81 at the end, p < 0.05). The mean OT time in the entire group improved by 5.5 ±9.68 s (from 45.3 ±2.09 to 39.8 ±23.05 s, p < 0,0001). The median OT score increased from 9 to 11; p < 0.0001. The OT time and the score improved significantly (p < 0.01) in subgroups of patients differing with sex, age (< 75 vs. ≥ 75 yrs), comorbidities (ischemic heart disease, hypertension, heart failure, stroke) and in the subjects with the lowest baseline fitness level (baseline OT time > upper quartile). The improvement in OT time and the score in patients with the lowest fitness level was greater (p < 0.0001) than in the subjects with the highest fitness level (baseline OT time < lower quartile).Conclusion: A six-week, low-intensity rehabilitation training program improves functional fitness of elderly subjects, independently on their age, sex and comorbidities. The biggest benefits were observed in patients with the lowest level of fitness.
Authors and Affiliations
Monika Krzywicka-Michałowska, Ewa Deskur-Śmielecka, Andrzej Jóźwiak, Małgorzata Bosacka, Piotr Dylewicz
Keywords
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