|
Recruitment for the study was completed by Year 04. Enrollment exceeded original target rates. Minority group recruitment was slightly below expectations. As of the end of the enrollment period, 215 subjects had been recruited into the Strong-for-Life project. Of those, 193 completed the 3 month follow-up and 196 completed the 6 month follow-up. The 9 month and 12 month telephone follow-up is completed. Of the randomized subjects 132 have undergone the MGH Biomotion Lab assessments.
Seven percent of the randomized subjects are non-white and 78% are female. Age of subjects ranged between 60 and 94 years of age with a mean of 76 years.
Figure 1: Study Design
Cognitive Behavioral Component includes:
- Motivational "trigger" tape and discussion
- Individualized goal setting; contract
- Periodic support; tracking with exercise logs
- Series of token rewards
- Generate alternatives to negative thoughts
Results
The Strong-for-Life Pilot Study was a randomized controlled trial of a videotaped home-based, strength training program by the same name. The study evaluated the program's effectiveness in improving muscle strength, psychological well being, and health status in a sample of older persons. We enrolled 102 non-disabled, community-dwelling elders aged 66 to 87 identified from the Medicare beneficiary list.
Results revealed several statistically significant benefits to exercise subjects, especially for men, following only 12 to 15 weeks of exercise. Younger elders demonstrated a 10% improvement in knee extensor strength relative to control subjects. Older male exercisers achieved significant differences relative to controls in perceived anger, tension, and overall social functioning. Male exercisers, in general, achieved significant improvements in perceived vigor. Participant adherence and progression in the exercise program was related to physiologic, but not to psychological benefits. The study results reveal that the Strong-for-Life program has many positive benefits and is designed to be widely disseminated to the non-disabled, community-dwelling, older population.
Major Findings
- For those subjects who attended at least five intervention sessions, the immediate effects included:
- Exercise subjects demonstrated statistically significant improvements in strength, balance, function, and disabilities compared with controls.
- Strength and balance differences ranged from 6-18 percent. An overall adherence rate of 89 percent of the recommended frequency of exercising was attained.
- Exercise intervention enhanced dynamic stability during gait.
- Predictors of exercise frequency were not the same as those that predicted intensity of exercise performance.
|
|
| 
