Citation

Zusman EZ, Dawes M, Fleig L, McAllister MM, Cook WL, Guy P, Brasher PMA, McKay HA, Khan KM, Ashe MC. J. Geriatr. Phys. Ther. 2019; 42(2): E32-E38.

Affiliation

Department of Family Practice, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, American Physical Therapy Association)

DOI

10.1519/JPT.0000000000000193

PMID

30028352

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Prolonged sedentary time and limited physical activity can result in deleterious effects on health and mobility, especially for older adults with fall-related hip fracture. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a multidisciplinary clinic on sedentary behavior and physical activity (prespecified secondary outcomes) and provide descriptions of activity patterns over 1 year for men and women.

METHODS: We conducted a parallel-group, single-blinded randomized controlled trial comparing a multidisciplinary clinic and usual care (intervention) with usual care (control). We recruited 53 community-dwelling older adults aged 65+ years who were 3 to 12 months postfracture and collected data at baseline, 6, and 12 months; study staff were blinded to group allocation. The clinic included a geriatric assessment by the geriatrician, physiotherapist, and occupational therapist. Referrals were made to other professionals, when indicated. We collected the accelerometer-measured sedentary behavior and physical activity at 3 time points. We used linear mixed-effects models to compare groups at 6 and 12 months and mixed models to compare outcomes between men and women.

RESULTS: Participants were sedentary for more than 10 hours of a 13-hour day, and there were no significant differences between the study groups at 6 months (2.4 [95% confidence interval: -22.4 to 27.2] minutes) or 12 months (-3.7 [95% confidence interval: -33.6 to 26.1] minutes). Compared with women, men spent 47.2 min/d more in sedentary time (P =.052) and 43.8 min/d less in light physical activity (P =.047).

DISCUSSION: Older adults after hip fracture spend prolonged periods of waking hours sedentary with very little activity.

Language: en