Feasibility of a Small Group Otago Exercise Program for Older Adults Living with Dementia
Older adults with dementia experience more frequent and injurious falls than their cognitively-intact peers; however, there are no evidence-based fall-prevention programs (EBFPP) for this population. The Otago Exercise Program (OEP) is an EBFPP for older adults that has not been well-studied in peop...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-02-01
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| Series: | Geriatrics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/7/2/23 |
| _version_ | 1797434658079637504 |
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| author | Julie D. Ries Martha Carroll |
| author_facet | Julie D. Ries Martha Carroll |
| author_sort | Julie D. Ries |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Older adults with dementia experience more frequent and injurious falls than their cognitively-intact peers; however, there are no evidence-based fall-prevention programs (EBFPP) for this population. The Otago Exercise Program (OEP) is an EBFPP for older adults that has not been well-studied in people with dementia. We sought to explore the feasibility of group delivery of OEP in an adult day health center (ADHC) for people with dementia. We collected demographic data, Functional Assessment Staging Tool (FAST), and Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) scores for seven participants with dementia. Pre- and post-test data included: Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG), 30-Second Chair-Stand (30s-CST), Four-Stage-Balance-Test (4-SBT), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS). We implemented a supervised group OEP, 3x/week × 8 weeks. Most participants required 1:1 supervision for optimal challenge and participation. Five participants completed the program. All had moderately severe to severe dementia based upon FAST; MMSE scores ranged from mild to severe cognitive impairment. Four of five participants crossed the threshold from higher to lower fall risk in at least one outcome (TUG, 30s-CST, 4-SBT, or BBS), and four of five participants improved by >Minimal Detectible Change (MDC<sub>90</sub>) score in at least one outcome. The group delivery format of OEP required significant staff oversight for optimal participation, making the program unsustainable. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T10:35:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c4ad7d6f75584ba283a5775e37a8fdc9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2308-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T10:35:28Z |
| publishDate | 2022-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geriatrics |
| spelling | doaj.art-c4ad7d6f75584ba283a5775e37a8fdc92023-12-01T20:58:02ZengMDPI AGGeriatrics2308-34172022-02-01722310.3390/geriatrics7020023Feasibility of a Small Group Otago Exercise Program for Older Adults Living with DementiaJulie D. Ries0Martha Carroll1Center for Optimal Aging, Physical Therapy Department, School of Health Sciences, College of Health & Education, Marymount University, Arlington, VA 22207, USACenter for Optimal Aging, Physical Therapy Department, School of Health Sciences, College of Health & Education, Marymount University, Arlington, VA 22207, USAOlder adults with dementia experience more frequent and injurious falls than their cognitively-intact peers; however, there are no evidence-based fall-prevention programs (EBFPP) for this population. The Otago Exercise Program (OEP) is an EBFPP for older adults that has not been well-studied in people with dementia. We sought to explore the feasibility of group delivery of OEP in an adult day health center (ADHC) for people with dementia. We collected demographic data, Functional Assessment Staging Tool (FAST), and Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) scores for seven participants with dementia. Pre- and post-test data included: Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG), 30-Second Chair-Stand (30s-CST), Four-Stage-Balance-Test (4-SBT), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS). We implemented a supervised group OEP, 3x/week × 8 weeks. Most participants required 1:1 supervision for optimal challenge and participation. Five participants completed the program. All had moderately severe to severe dementia based upon FAST; MMSE scores ranged from mild to severe cognitive impairment. Four of five participants crossed the threshold from higher to lower fall risk in at least one outcome (TUG, 30s-CST, 4-SBT, or BBS), and four of five participants improved by >Minimal Detectible Change (MDC<sub>90</sub>) score in at least one outcome. The group delivery format of OEP required significant staff oversight for optimal participation, making the program unsustainable.https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/7/2/23dementiabalancefallsexerciseOtago Exercise Program |
| spellingShingle | Julie D. Ries Martha Carroll Feasibility of a Small Group Otago Exercise Program for Older Adults Living with Dementia Geriatrics dementia balance falls exercise Otago Exercise Program |
| title | Feasibility of a Small Group Otago Exercise Program for Older Adults Living with Dementia |
| title_full | Feasibility of a Small Group Otago Exercise Program for Older Adults Living with Dementia |
| title_fullStr | Feasibility of a Small Group Otago Exercise Program for Older Adults Living with Dementia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Feasibility of a Small Group Otago Exercise Program for Older Adults Living with Dementia |
| title_short | Feasibility of a Small Group Otago Exercise Program for Older Adults Living with Dementia |
| title_sort | feasibility of a small group otago exercise program for older adults living with dementia |
| topic | dementia balance falls exercise Otago Exercise Program |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/7/2/23 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT juliedries feasibilityofasmallgroupotagoexerciseprogramforolderadultslivingwithdementia AT marthacarroll feasibilityofasmallgroupotagoexerciseprogramforolderadultslivingwithdementia |