Health-related quality of life in frail institutionalized elderly: effects of a cognition-action intervention and Tai Chi.

Full Abstract

No previous studies have explored the effects of mind-body approaches on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the frail elderly. Cognition and action are an inseparable whole during functioning. Thus, a new intervention-based approach using familiarity-based movements and a nonjudgmental approach of "cognition-action" was proposed and was tested with Tai Chi on HRQoL in frail institutionalized elderly. Fifty-two participants (58% women) age 65-94 took part in a 24-wk Tai Chi (TC) intervention 4 days/wk or a cognition-action (CA) exercise program of 30 min twice a week. Changes in Mini Mental State score, physical (PCS) and mental component (MCS) summaries (SF12); Falls Efficacy Scale (FES); and exercise self-efficacy were explored. PCS improved from 33.6 +/- 6.7 to 51 +/- 4.8 in the TC group and from 30.6 +/- 9.9 to 45.1 +/- 10.2 in the CA group (p < .001). MCS of SF-12 (p < .001), FES (p < .001), and exercise self-efficacy (p < .01) were enhanced significantly in both groups. Adapted CA programs and Tai Chi were both efficient in improving HRQoL of frail elderly.

Author information

Author/s: Deschamps, Arnaud (A); Onifade, Cherifa (C); Decamps, Arnaud (A); Bourdel-Marchasson, Isabelle (I);

Affiliation: Dept of Physical Activity, VSTII, France.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of aging and physical activity (J Aging Phys Act), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Apr; vol 17 (issue 2) : pp 236-48

Dates: Created 2009/05/19; Completed 2009/08/25;

PMID: 19451671, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 8/25/2009, IMS Date: )

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

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.