Maintaining Exercise in Older Adults with Arthritis
Author Information
Author(s): Nour Kareen, Sophie Laforest, Lise Gauvin, Monique Gignac
Primary Institution: Centre de recherche et d'expertise en gérontologie sociale (CREGES), CSSS Cavendish-Centre Affilié Universitaire, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Hypothesis
Can short-term improvements in exercise involvement be maintained 8 months after a self-management intervention for housebound older adults with arthritis?
Conclusion
Gains in exercise involvement achieved through a self-management intervention can be maintained 8 months following the intervention.
Supporting Evidence
- Weekly exercise frequency and variety were significantly greater in the experimental group than in the control group 8 months after the intervention.
- Participants who completed the post-intervention measures were similar to those who started the study, indicating consistent results.
- Walking frequency was maintained, while stretching exercises showed a significant decrease.
Takeaway
Older adults with arthritis can keep exercising even after a program that helps them start, which is good for their health.
Methodology
Participants were interviewed at four time points: baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 8 months post-intervention.
Potential Biases
Potential social desirability bias in self-reported exercise data.
Limitations
Participants may have reported more exercise than they actually performed due to social desirability bias, and the sample was predominantly female, affecting generalizability.
Participant Demographics
Participants were predominantly older adults (M = 77.7 years, 90% women) living with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = .05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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