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Publication of the Medical Rehabilitation is under the auspices of the Committee on Rehabilitation, Physical Education and Social Integration of the Polish Academy of Science
Article
Medical Rehabilitation - quarterly journal
Volume 10 year 2006, Issue number 2
Application of two structured rehabilitation regimens in the frail octogenarians (over 85) with disturbances of daily-life functioning
Authors: Marek Żak, Barbara Gryglewska
Medical Rehabilitation 2005; 10(2): 17-24
Application of two structured rehabilitation regimens in the frail octogenarians (over 85) with disturbances of daily-life functioning
Ocena wyników rehabilitacji osób po 85 roku życia z zaburzeniami sprawności funkcjonalnej
Marek Żak1, Barbara Gryglewska2
1Institute of Rehabilitation, Academy of Physical Education in Krakow, Poland
2Interna Diseases and Geriatry, Collegium Medicum Jagiellonian Uniwersity, Krakow, Poland
Received: 17.06. 2006; accepted: 25.07.2006
Key words
geriatrics, falls, multi-sensory training, rising from a fall, frailty syndrome
Abstract
Background. Disturbances in functioning associated with performing simple tasks of daily living, especially in conjunction with a constant hazard of incidental falls, constitute major challenges any elderly population has to face.
Aim. To assess the effects of two specifically structured physical rehabilitation regimens on enhancing individual functional capabili-ties and minimising the risk of incidental falls among the frail octogenarians (over 85).
Material and methods. Duration of the study was 3 months (comprising two exercise sessions a week). Fifty subjects (mean age: 87 years) randomised into two groups: Group I – 25, Group II (controls) – 18. Group I was assigned an intensive rehabilitation regimen combining active exercises, multi-sensory training, instruction on performing safe postural shifts and rising effectively from falls, walking short distances; Group II – active exercises and multi-sensory training. Twenty five subjects in Group I and 18 subjects in Group II completed the study,. The Timed UP & GO and Tinetti (POMA) tests were applied respectively to assess individual mobil-ity before and upon completion of the study. The results were subsequently processed, inter alia, with a non-parametric Wilcoxon test.
Results. Statistically significant improvement was observed in Group I (p<0.05) in the Timed UP & GO test score (mean time 26.1 sec. vs. 20.9 sec.), as well as in the Tinetti (POMA) test (balance assessed before: 11.2 ±1.8 after 13.1 ±1.8, gait assessed before: 8.9 ±1.5; after 10.4 ±1.7), whereas the changes observed in Group II were not statistically significant.
Conclusions. Structured rehabilitation regimen combining diverse active exercises, walking training, multi-sensory training, instruc-tion on safe postural shifts and rising effectively from incidental falls is believed to significantly enhance individual functional capa-bilities in the frail octogenarians.
Background. Disturbances in functioning associated with performing simple tasks of daily living, especially in conjunction with a constant hazard of incidental falls, constitute major challenges any elderly population has to face.
Aim. To assess the effects of two specifically structured physical rehabilitation regimens on enhancing individual functional capabili-ties and minimising the risk of incidental falls among the frail octogenarians (over 85).
Material and methods. Duration of the study was 3 months (comprising two exercise sessions a week). Fifty subjects (mean age: 87 years) randomised into two groups: Group I – 25, Group II (controls) – 18. Group I was assigned an intensive rehabilitation regimen combining active exercises, multi-sensory training, instruction on performing safe postural shifts and rising effectively from falls, walking short distances; Group II – active exercises and multi-sensory training. Twenty five subjects in Group I and 18 subjects in Group II completed the study,. The Timed UP & GO and Tinetti (POMA) tests were applied respectively to assess individual mobil-ity before and upon completion of the study. The results were subsequently processed, inter alia, with a non-parametric Wilcoxon test.
Results. Statistically significant improvement was observed in Group I (p<0.05) in the Timed UP & GO test score (mean time 26.1 sec. vs. 20.9 sec.), as well as in the Tinetti (POMA) test (balance assessed before: 11.2 ±1.8 after 13.1 ±1.8, gait assessed before: 8.9 ±1.5; after 10.4 ±1.7), whereas the changes observed in Group II were not statistically significant.
Conclusions. Structured rehabilitation regimen combining diverse active exercises, walking training, multi-sensory training, instruc-tion on safe postural shifts and rising effectively from incidental falls is believed to significantly enhance individual functional capa-bilities in the frail octogenarians.