Effect of physical interventions on physical performance and physical activity in older patients during hospitalization: A systematic review 11 Medical and Health Sciences 1117 Public Health and Health Services

Kira Scheerman, Kirsten Raaijmakers, René Hubert Joseph Otten, Carel Gerardus Maria Meskers, Andrea Britta Maier*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background: To counteract decline in physical performance and physical activity in older patients during hospitalization, multiple physical interventions were developed. However, it is unknown whether these are effective in this particular population. This systematic review aimed to identify the effect of physical interventions on physical performance and physical activity in older patients during hospitalization. Methods: The systematic search included PubMed, EMBASE, Cinahl, the Trials database of The Cochrane Library and SPORTdiscus from inception to 22 November 2017. Studies were included if the mean age of the patient cohort was 65 years and older and the effect of physical interventions on physical performance or physical activity was evaluated during hospitalization. Results: Fifteen randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. Overall, the effect of physical interventions on physical performance was inconsistent. Patient tailored interventions, i.e. continuously adapted to the capabilities of the patient were not found to be superior over interventions that were not. Physical activity as outcome measure was not addressed. Reporting of intensity of the interventions and adherence were frequently lacking. Conclusions: Evidence for the effect of physical interventions on physical performance in older patients during hospitalization was found uncertain. Further research on the efficacy of the intervention is needed, comparing types of intervention with detailed reporting of frequency, intensity and duration.

Original languageEnglish
Article number288
Pages (from-to)1-13
Number of pages13
JournalBMC Geriatrics
Volume18
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23 Nov 2018

Keywords

  • Aged
  • Exercise
  • Hospitalization
  • Physical therapists

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