Promoting physical activity in geriatric patients with cognitive impairment after discharge from ward-rehabilitation: a feasibility study

• Published in: European journal of ageing Vol. 17; no. 3; pp. 309 - 320
• Main Authors: Eckert, Tobias, Bongartz, Martin, Ullrich, Phoebe, Abel, Bastian, Christian, Werner, Kiss, Rainer, Hauer, Klaus
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01-09-2020; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aging; Cognitive ability; Demography; Exercise; Feasibility studies; Geriatrics/Gerontology; Goal setting; Original Investigation; Physical activity; Physical training; Psychology; Public Health; Rehabilitation; Social interactions; Social Sciences; Adherence; Transitional care; Feasibility; Physical activity; Geriatrics; Cognitive impairment
• ISSN: 1613-9372; 1613-9380
• DOI: 10.1007/s10433-020-00555-w

The aim of the present study was to examine adherence and acceptance of a home-based program to promote physical activity (PA) in older persons with cognitive impairment (CI) following inpatient rehabilitation. Sixty-three older persons (≥ 65 years) with mild to moderate CI (Mini-Mental State Examination score 17–26), allocated to the intervention group of a randomized, controlled intervention trial underwent a 12-week home-based PA intervention including (1) physical training and outdoor walking to improve functional fitness and (2) motivational strategies (goal-setting, pedometer-based self-monitoring, social support delivered by home visits, phone calls) to promote PA. Training logs were used to assess adherence to physical training, outdoor walking and to motivational strategies (goal-setting, pedometer-based self-monitoring). Acceptance (subjective feasibility and effectiveness) of the program components was assessed by a standardized questionnaire. Mean adherence rates over the intervention period were 63.6% for physical training, 57.9% for outdoor walking, and between 40.1% (achievement of walking goals), and 60.1% (pedometer-based self-monitoring) for motivational strategies. Adherence rates significantly declined from baseline to the end of intervention (T1: 43.4–76.8%, T2: 36.1–51.5%,
p values
<.019). Most participants rated physical training, outdoor walking, goal-setting, and pedometer self-monitoring as feasible (68.2–83.0%) and effective (63.5–78.3%). Highest ratings of self-perceived effectiveness were found for home visits (90.6%) and phone calls (79.2%). The moderate to high adherence to self-performed physical training and motivational strategies proved the feasibility of the home-based PA program in older persons with CI following inpatient rehabilitation.