Comparison two-year effects of once-weekly and twice-weekly water exercise on health-related quality of life of community-dwelling frail elderly people at a day-service facility

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to compare two-year effects of once-weekly and twice-weekly water exercise programmes at a day-service facility on the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of frail elderly people.

Method. This single blind, prospective, longitudinal randomized pilot study separated 22 community-dwelling frail elderly people into once-weekly (once group: n = 10) and twice-weekly (twice group: n = 12) groups: the two-year exercise interventions were once- or twice-weekly 1-h sessions. Water exercise sessions comprised warming-up on land, activities of daily living (ADL) exercise, stretching, strength, and relaxation in water. The HRQL was evaluated using the Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form-36 questionnaire (SF-36); ADL dependence was assessed using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM).

Result. Both groups showed significant increases over pre-intervention (pre) scores at 6 months and 12 months on Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary. In the once group, both were lower at 24 months than at 6 months and 12 months. The FIM scores were significantly different from pre at 6 months and 12 months in both once and twice groups, and between pre and 24 month in the twice group.

Conclusion. Better than once-weekly exercise, twice-weekly water exercise controlled deterioration of HRQL, ADL, and knee extensor muscle strength (KEX) with ageing.

Keywords:

• Long-term water exercise
• frail elderly people
• health-related quality of life
• exercise frequency
• day-service

Notes

1. The public nursing care insurance system (PNCIS) is the first and only system in the world for helping frail elderly people to lead an independent life. Frail elderly people who are classified as dependent are able to receive various services, including day-service.

2. Day-service is one service received through the public nursing care insurance system. This service includes transportation, bathing, meals, oral care, nutrition counselling, and functional training. Participants spend approximately 7 h in day-service facilities.