Improves the ability to perform activities of daily living
Evidence summary
The evidence that multifactorial (home modification, medication management, education, exercise) approaches reduce difficulties with ADLs and instrumental ADLs (IADLs) in older adults is strong in a systematic review consisting of 94% Level I RCTs and 100% either Level II or Level I (4).
The pooled estimate of the effect of exercise on social participation is statistically significant in favour of an exercise intervention (Hedges’ g = 0.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.04–0.27, P = 0.006). The point estimate of the effect of multi-faceted intervention with an exercise component on participation (Hedges’ g = 0.25, 95% CI = −04 to 0.53, P = 0.09) is larger than the effect from exercise as a single intervention (Hedges’ g = 0.09, 95% CI = −0.01 to 0.19, P = 0.07), although this difference is not significant (5).
Quality of evidence
Moderate quality
Strength of recommendation
Strong
Conclusion
A client-centred intervention plan that includes a mix of exercise, education, home modifications and assistive technology is supported by strong evidence for preserving independence in community-dwelling older adults. When physical activity and home modifications are provided individually, the evidence that these interventions promote ADL and IADL performance is moderate.
Exercise interventions targeting falls may improve social participation in older people; however due to the considerable heterogeneity and small effect size, the results must be interpreted with caution and ongoing evaluation and research is required.
Physical activity combined with other falls-prevention strategies can be recommended for the promotion of functional status in most community dwelling patients in most circumstances. Evidence for improvements in social participation is promising but less strong due to individual study design.
References
- Gillespie, Lesley D., et “Interventions for preventing falls in older people living in the community.” Cochrane Database Syst Rev 9.11 (2012).
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