Effects of an individually targeted multicomponent counseling and home-based rehabilitation program on physical activity and mobility in community-dwelling older people after discharge from hospital: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of multicomponent rehabilitation on physical activity, sedentary behavior, and mobility in older people recently discharged from hospital.

DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial.

SETTING: Home and community.

PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling people aged ⩾60 years recovering from a lower limb or back musculoskeletal injury, surgery, or disorder were recruited from local health center hospitals and randomly assigned into an intervention (n = 59) or a control (standard care, n = 58) group.

INTERVENTION: The six-month intervention consisted of a motivational interview, goal attainment process, guidance for safe walking, a progressive home exercise program, physical activity counseling, and standard care.

MEASUREMENTS: Physical activity and sedentary time were assessed using an accelerometer and a single question. Mobility was evaluated with the Short Physical Performance Battery, self-reported use of a walking aid, and ability to negotiate stairs and walk outdoors. Intervention effects were analyzed with generalized estimating equations.

RESULTS: Daily physical activity was 127 ± 78 minutes/day and 121 ± 70 at baseline and 167 ± 81 and 164 ± 72 at six months in the intervention and control group, respectively; mean difference of 3.4 minutes (95% confidence interval (CI) = -20.3 to 27.1). In addition, no significant between-group differences were shown in physical performance.

CONCLUSION: The rehabilitation program was not superior to standard care for increasing physical activity or improving physical performance. Mobility-limited older people who had recently returned home from hospital would have needed a longer and more frequently monitored comprehensive geriatric intervention.