Improvements and perception following a physical-exercise intervention specific for chronic/palliative older adults

Abstract

After analysing the impact of a cognitively oriented multicomponent home-based exercise training program on independence, perceived health status, and lower limb strength, in a group of multimorbid and/or palliative older patients (MPO-Ps), we studied the associations between improvements following training and the participants and health personnel opinion of the program. 13 MPO-Ps, (80,15+4,20 years) completed four months of training progressing in autonomy, followed by four weeks of detraining. Independence (Barthel) and perceived health (physical SF-36, with no changes in the mental domain), were improved after supervised training, with a trend to improve strength (sit and stand 30-s) and perceived health (total SF-36). The effect was maintained after the autonomous detraining phase, with a very favourable final perception of patients and health personnel, determined through questionnaires. The gain in independence correlated negatively with the user's perception, but this requirement ensured the improvement. There was no association between perceived-health and the evaluation of the program.