Development and validation of a complex intervention: A physical exercise programme aimed at delaying the functional decline in frail older adults.
Rita Santos-Rocha, Joana Freitas, Fátima Ramalho and 3 others
PMID 31871711WHAT IT FOUND
A 30-minute exercise programme for frail institutionalized older adults was rated feasible and acceptable by professionals, students and residents, but the study did not test whether it improves function, falls or quality of life.
Key findings
01The validation did not assess whether the programme improves gait, prevents falls, cognition, quality of life or depressive symptoms.
02Workshop participants mostly agreed (86%-94%) that the programme was well structured, the 30-minute sessions were adequate, and it was feasible to replicate in nursing homes.
03Frail older adults who tried the exercise session said they enjoyed it and would like to experience it weekly, and no incidents, injuries or adverse events were reported.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study did not test whether the exercise programme delays functional decline, improves gait, prevents falls, cognition, quality of life or depressive symptoms. Most feedback came from students and professionals; only 20 frail older adults took part in exercise sessions, and they did not complete questionnaires. The pilot was delivered by external exercise specialists, so the results may not reflect routine delivery by healthcare professionals. The later trial intervention combines the exercise programme with a cognitive stimulation programme, so the contribution of exercise alone cannot be separated. Feedback was mostly agreement on a 5-point scale and positive comments, not objective outcome measurement. The programme materials are in Portuguese and the app was under construction, which may limit immediate use outside that context.
Declared interests
The work was part of a larger Mind&Gait project supported by PORTUGAL2020, and the authors declared no conflict of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the high agreement scores or positive older-adult feedback as proof the programme works. It was not tested for function, gait, falls, cognition, quality of life or depressive symptoms, and the later trial intervention also includes cognitive stimulation, so exercise alone cannot be judged.