0000000000863010

AUTHOR

Leena Timonen

A randomized controlled trial of rehabilitation after hospitalization in frail older women: effects on strength, balance and mobility

When frail older people become acutely ill, they are at increased risk of further functional deterioration and rehabilitation is needed to restore functioning. The effects of an out-patient multicomponent training program including strength training after hospitalization were studied in a randomized controlled trial. Sixty-eight women (mean age 83.0 +/- 3.9 years) who were hospitalized due to an acute illness and were mobility impaired at admission were randomized into training (N = 34) and home exercise (N = 34) groups. Maximal voluntary isometric strength of knee extension and hip abduction, dynamic balance, and maximal walking speed were measured before and after the 10-week training per…

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Cost analysis of an exercise program for older women with respect to social welfare and healthcare costs: a pilot study

The aim of this study was to analyze social welfare and healthcare costs and fall-related healthcare costs after a group-based exercise program. The 10-week exercise program, which started after discharge from the hospital, was designed to improve physical fitness, mood, and functional abilities in frail elderly women. Sixty-eight acutely hospitalized and mobility-impaired women (mean age 83.0, SD 3.9 years) were randomized into either group-based (intervention) or home exercise (control) groups. Information on costs was collected during 1 year after hospital discharge. There were no differences between the intervention and control groups in the mean individual healthcare costs: 4381 euros …

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Effects of a group-based exercise program on the mood state of frail older women after discharge from hospital

Background Older people with somatic illnesses are at increased risk of depression. It is not known whether exercise alleviates depressive symptoms in frail, very old people recuperating from an acute illness. Objective To determine the effects of a group-based exercise training program on mood. Methods Sixty-eight women (mean age 83.0, SD 3.9 years) who were hospitalized due to an acute illness, and were mobility impaired at admission, were randomized into group-based 10-week strength training intervention (N=34) and home exercise control (N=34) groups. Twenty-four women in the training and 28 in the control group completed the follow-up. Measures of mood state with the Zung Self-Rating De…

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