Pisani A1, Mlfsud Bonnici P1, Lungaro-Mifsud S1, Sciriha A1
1University of Malta, Physiotherapy, Msida, Malta
Background: Physical exercise and health related quality of life (HR-QOL) are important factors for optimal health in the elderly. Studying the association between the two aspects is becoming of more relevance in recent years as the number of older adults has increased, particularly in Malta.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the link between low intensity physical exercise and HR-QOL among community dwelling older adults.
Methods: The study included 30 older adults recruited from the community using a snowball sampling method. The participants took part in 4-week low intensity exercise classes that involved strength, balance, aerobics and flexibility components. The sessions were carried out twice a week for a total of 8 weeks. Data was collected at baseline as an initial assessment, at the 4th week interval and at an interval following 6 weeks for the following measures: 36-item Short Form questionnaire (SF-36), World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument (WHOQOL-BREF) and semi-structured interview questions. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS®) was used to generate the questionnaire results. The Shapiro-Wilk's Test, T-Test & Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test were used to formulate and tabulate data.
Results: The results obtained in this study showed an overall increase in the HR-QOL of the participants. The SF-36 questionnaire showed a statistical significant increase in only the physical component summary (PCS). Whilst the mental component summary (MCS) still increased it did not reach statistical significance. All the domains of the SF-36 improved with physical functioning (PF), vitality (VT) and mental health (MH) reaching statistical significance. All eight domains of the SF-36 were positively correlated to one another. The WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire's domains also improved following the exercise programme with the environment domain reaching statistical significance. Again all domains of the WHOQOL-BREF were positively correlated to one another.
Conclusion(s): This research study showed that a low intensity exercise programme positively influences various outcomes associated with HR-QOL, regardless of the activity status of the participants. Both the SF-36 and WHOQOL-BREF questionnaires showed a positive change after the 4-week exercise programme. This implicated that a community-based low intensity exercise programme does provide a beneficial change in the HR-QOL of older adults. Despite there being an overall positive change, this study shows that there are specific changes which are more evident than others. The components that showed a significant change were better mental and cognitive health, increased levels of energy and activity, improved environmental surroundings and enhanced functional ability.
Implications: These findings may provide an insight to which type of exercise intensity can be beneficial for older adults to achieve a better HR-QOL in particular those who are community dwelling rather than institutionalized. By carrying out such interventions in local communities, physiotherapy can aid in the improvement of physical and cognitive components that lead to a better quality of life in older adults. The improved quality of life would provide better lifestyles, decreased risk of non-communicable diseases and a prolonged life expectancy (Drewnowski & Evans, 2001).
Keywords: Older Adults, Community Intervention, Health Related Quality of Life (HR-QOL)
Funding acknowledgements: No funding was used in this study.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the link between low intensity physical exercise and HR-QOL among community dwelling older adults.
Methods: The study included 30 older adults recruited from the community using a snowball sampling method. The participants took part in 4-week low intensity exercise classes that involved strength, balance, aerobics and flexibility components. The sessions were carried out twice a week for a total of 8 weeks. Data was collected at baseline as an initial assessment, at the 4th week interval and at an interval following 6 weeks for the following measures: 36-item Short Form questionnaire (SF-36), World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument (WHOQOL-BREF) and semi-structured interview questions. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS®) was used to generate the questionnaire results. The Shapiro-Wilk's Test, T-Test & Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test were used to formulate and tabulate data.
Results: The results obtained in this study showed an overall increase in the HR-QOL of the participants. The SF-36 questionnaire showed a statistical significant increase in only the physical component summary (PCS). Whilst the mental component summary (MCS) still increased it did not reach statistical significance. All the domains of the SF-36 improved with physical functioning (PF), vitality (VT) and mental health (MH) reaching statistical significance. All eight domains of the SF-36 were positively correlated to one another. The WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire's domains also improved following the exercise programme with the environment domain reaching statistical significance. Again all domains of the WHOQOL-BREF were positively correlated to one another.
Conclusion(s): This research study showed that a low intensity exercise programme positively influences various outcomes associated with HR-QOL, regardless of the activity status of the participants. Both the SF-36 and WHOQOL-BREF questionnaires showed a positive change after the 4-week exercise programme. This implicated that a community-based low intensity exercise programme does provide a beneficial change in the HR-QOL of older adults. Despite there being an overall positive change, this study shows that there are specific changes which are more evident than others. The components that showed a significant change were better mental and cognitive health, increased levels of energy and activity, improved environmental surroundings and enhanced functional ability.
Implications: These findings may provide an insight to which type of exercise intensity can be beneficial for older adults to achieve a better HR-QOL in particular those who are community dwelling rather than institutionalized. By carrying out such interventions in local communities, physiotherapy can aid in the improvement of physical and cognitive components that lead to a better quality of life in older adults. The improved quality of life would provide better lifestyles, decreased risk of non-communicable diseases and a prolonged life expectancy (Drewnowski & Evans, 2001).
Keywords: Older Adults, Community Intervention, Health Related Quality of Life (HR-QOL)
Funding acknowledgements: No funding was used in this study.
Topic: Older people; Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: University of Malta
Ethics committee: University Research Ethics Committee
Ethics number: 088/2017
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
