Feasibility, safety, and adherence of a remote physical and cognitive exercise protocol for older women

Abstract

Background Population aging and the consequences of social distancing after the COVID-19 pandemic make it relevant to investigate the feasibility of remote interventions and their potential effects on averting functional decline.

Objective (1) To investigate the feasibility, safety, and adherence of a remote protocol involving physical and cognitive exercises for older women with normal cognition; (2) to examine its effects on cognitive and well-being variables.

Methods Twenty-nine women (age ≥ 60 years old) were randomized into experimental group (EG; n = 15) and control group (CG; n = 14). The EG performed a 40-minute session of cognitive and physical exercises, and CG performed a 20-minute stretching session. Both groups performed 20 sessions via videoconference and 20 on YouTube twice a week. The Mini-Mental State Examination, Verbal Fluency Test, Digit Span (direct an inverse order), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and Well-being Index (WHO-5) were applied in pre- and post-interventions by phone.

Results Overall adherence was 82.25% in EG and 74.29% in CG. The occurrence of adverse events (mild muscle pain) was 33.3% in EG and 21.4% in CG. The EG improved verbal fluency and attention (p ≤ 0.05); both groups had improved depressive symptoms.

Conclusion The present study met the pre-established criteria for feasibility, safety, and adherence to the remote exercise protocol among older women. The results suggest that a combined protocol has more significant potential to improve cognitive function. Both interventions were beneficial in improving the subjective perception of well-being.

Resumo

Antecedentes O envelhecimento populacional e as consequências do isolamento social após a pandemia de COVID-19 tornaram relevante investigar a viabilidade, segurança e aderência de intervenções remotas e potenciais efeitos para prevenir declínios funcionais.

Objetivo (1) Investigar a viabilidade, segurança e aderência de um protocolo remoto de exercícios físicos e cognitivos; (2) investigar os possíveis efeitos sobre variáveis de cognição e de bem-estar.

Métodos Vinte e nove mulheres foram randomicamente divididas em grupo experimental (GE; n = 15) e grupo controle (GC; n = 14). O GE realizou sessões de 40 minutos de exercícios físicos e cognitivos e o GC, 20 minutos de alongamentos. Totalizaram 20 sessões por videoconferência e 20 pelo YouTube, duas vezes por semana. O Teste de Fluência Verbal, o Teste de Dígitos (ordem direta e inversa), a Escala de Depressão Geriátrica (GDS) e o Índice de Bem-Estar (WHO-5) foram aplicados no pré e pós-intervenção, por telefone e formulário digital.

Resultados A aderência geral média foi de 82,25% no GE e 74,29% no GC. A ocorrência de eventos adversos (dores musculares leves) foi de 33,3% no GE e 21,4% no GC. O GE teve melhora em fluência verbal e atenção (p ≤ 0.05) e ambos os grupos tiveram melhora significativa nos sintomas depressivos.

Conclusão O presente estudo atendeu aos critérios preestabelecidos para a viabilidade, segurança e aderência do programa oferecido entre idosas. Os resultados sugerem que o protocolo combinado tenha maior potencial de aprimorar funções cognitivas. Ambas as intervenções foram benéficas para a percepção subjetiva de bem-estar.

Keywords

Feasibility Studies - Exercise - Telemonitoring - Aged

Palavras-chave

Estudos de Viabilidade - Exercício - Telemonitoramento - Idoso

Authors' Contributions

All authors contributed significantly to this manuscript. CP, SMDB: conceptualization, methodology; CP: participants enrolling, randomization, application of sessions, data curation, resources; MNM, ST, MT, CEP: applying all cognitive tests in pre and post interventions; SMDB: writing-review and editing, project administration and supervision.

Publication History

Received: 09 August 2023

Accepted: 12 February 2024

Article published online:
23 April 2024

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