Effects of a physical therapy program on quality of life among community-dwelling elderly women: randomized-controlled trial

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Health promotion policies for encouraging elderly to remain active, independent and, effectively have a positive effect on their quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To verify the effects of a low-intensity group-based physical therapy program on quality of life among community-dwelling elderly women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was carried out a randomized controlled trial. Seventeen women (67.8 ± 4.9 years old) that completed 12-week training program and 10 women (68.9 ± 5.7 years old) that were included in control group answered the abbreviated version for World Health Organization Quality of life Questionnaire - WHOQOL-bref at baseline and after 12 weeks. Exercise group performed stretching, resistance and balance training. Intragroup and intergroup analysis was made using Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney U tests, respectively. The level of significance used for all comparisons was 5%. Furthermore, it was determined the Reliable Change Index (RCI) as part of JT Method. RESULTS: Exercise group presented a significant improvement for Psychological domain (p = 0.047) after 12-week physical therapy program. Otherwise, control group presented a significant worsening for overall (p = 0.01), physical (p = 0.01) and psychological (p = 0.008) domains. Exercise group presented two participants with positive reliable change (PRC) for social domain, two participants with PRC for Environment domain. Overall and Physical domain presented three participants with PRC. Psychological domain presented four participants with PRC and one with negative reliable change. CONCLUSION: A low-intensity group-based physical therapy program may contribute in order to maintain quality of life and improve some psychological aspects among community-dwelling elderly women.

Fisioterapia Na Prevenção De Quedas Em Idosos: Revisão De Literatura

“…É importante o treino para ganho de preensão palmar, pois este relacionase com maior resistência a quedas por auxiliar nas reações de proteção e equilíbrio, além de ajudar na locomoção dos pacientes que fazem uso de dispositivos auxiliares. Aveiro, Driusso, Santos (2013), em ensaio clínico randomizado controlado, obteve como resultados principais a melhora da qualidade de vida e de alguns aspectos psicológicos influenciados pela prática de atividades físicas. Conforme demonstrado no estudo de Cunha et al (2009), os pacientes também apresentaram melhora na qualidade de vida e aumento da autoestima.…”

O método pilates na melhora do equilíbrio da população idosa brasileira: uma revisão de literatura

“…Nesse sentido, a fisioterapia tem um papel importante, na prevenção de quedas em idosos incluindo orientações, assistência na realização das atividades da vida diária, incluindo alongamentos, treino de marcha e equilíbrio, fortalecimento muscular e a manutenção da funcionalidade, promovendo a redução das limitações e incapacidades e colaborando com a independência desses idosos (Aveiro;Driusso & Santos, 2013).…”