Research article summary (published 30 Dec 2005):

Physiological improvements and health benefits during an exercise-based comprehensive rehabilitation program in medically complex patients.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of an exercise-based comprehensive rehabilitation program on the physiological, health, and cost benefit in medically complex patients. DESIGN: Case series SETTING: Comprehensive rehabilitation centers. PARTICIPANTS: Elderly chronically ill men (n = 39, age = 75.3 +/- 1.4) and women (n = 74, age = 76.5 +/- 0.9 years). INTERVENTION: Patients participated in individualized physical therapy with therapeutic exercises (stretching, strengthening, endurance, balance, sitting and standing dynamic exercises) three times/week for three months under the supervision of a physician. MEASUREMENTS: Upper (back) and lower (leg flexors) extremity strength, aerobic power as measured by metabolic equivalents (METS) at 80% of age predicted maximal heart rate (APMHR), physical functioning and mental health as assessed by the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire, and medical events (falls, physician visits, and hospitalizations) questionnaire was collected at baseline and after three months of the program. RESULTS: Strength measures improved by approximately 30% (P < 0.05) as well as aerobic power improved by approximately 25% (P < 0.05) over the three-month period. There were significant improvements in two of the SF-36 Physical Component Scales: Physical Functioning (P < 0.05) and Role Physical (P < 0.05); plus, there were significant improvements in all four of the Mental Component Scales: Vitality (P < 0.05), Social Functioning (P < 0.05), Role Emotional (P < 0.05), and Mental Health (P < 0.05). There were significant reductions in fall rate (P < 0.05), physician visits (P < 0.05), and hospitalizations (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients improve physical capacity, which result in improvements in health status with concurrent reductions in healthcare utilization during a comprehensive rehabilitation program.

Author information

Author/s: Smith, Taro P (TP); Kennedy, Sarah L (SL); Smith, Marci (M); Orent, Sander (S); Fleshner, Monika (M);

Affiliation: Dept. of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Clinical Trial; Journal Article

Journal: Exercise immunology review (Exerc Immunol Rev), published in Germany. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-; vol 12 (issue ) : pp 86-96

Dates: Created 2007/01/04; Completed 2007/03/15;

PMID: 17201074, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MeSH Headings (categories) shown below.

Aged - physiology; psychology Chronic Disease Exercise Exercise Therapy - economics; methods Female Health Status Humans

Humans Male Mental Health Muscle Strength Physical Fitness Questionnaires Treatment Outcome

Note: Bold headings indicate primary MeSH headings or qualifiers.

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