Older Adults' Experiences and Perceived Barriers to Access and Adoption of the Technology-Based Physio-Feedback Exercise Program.
Eunice Oladepe Ojo, Victoria Loerzel, Ladda Thiamwong
PMID 40067182WHAT IT FOUND
Older adults found this tech-based fall-prevention exercise program easy and social.
Friends and group sessions kept them involved; balance feedback motivated drinking more water and walking carefully. Few reported barriers.
Key findings
01Participants described the PEER as easy, comfortable, and painless, and said clear instructions and keeping to the schedule helped them stay in the program.
02Most joined because friends, neighbors, or family invited them and stayed because they enjoyed group exercise; feedback from technology assessments about balance and body composition encouraged lifestyle changes.
03Few barriers were reported, but feeling unstable on the balance plate, mobility problems, pain, weakness, and fear of falling limited some participation; most still completed assessments and continued.
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
Only people who stayed in PEER were interviewed, so the study does not capture why others left. The study used individual interviews only, so important topics may have been missed. Participants were selected by convenience after PEER, so they may not represent older adults who do not join such programs. Only three men participated, so the findings may not reflect male older adults. Most contacted male older adults did not respond, and their reasons were not known.
Declared interests
The study was part of NIH-funded R01MD018025. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as evidence that the program prevented falls or improved balance. It reports what 32 older adults said about their experience, and people who withdrew from the program were excluded.