Journal of geriatric physical therapy
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J Geriatr Phys Ther · Jan 2014
Physical performance in relation to body composition and bone mineral density in healthy, overweight, and obese postmenopausal women.
Diminished physical performance can be detrimental among the older adults, causing falls and subsequent fractures, loss of independence, and increased morbidity and mortality rates. Therefore, it is important to maintain functional ability from the early onset of aging. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between physical performance measures and body composition (bone, fat, and lean mass) in healthy, overweight and obese, early postmenopausal white women. ⋯ Overall, higher fat and lower lean mass was related to poorer physical performance, while forearm bone mineral density was related to the handgrip strength only. Further investigation may be beneficial for a better understanding of how body composition may prevent decline in physical performance among overweight/obese, mid-age, and older women.
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J Geriatr Phys Ther · Oct 2013
ReviewThe effectiveness of physical therapist-administered group-based exercise on fall prevention: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
Falls are a verified cause of morbidity and mortality in adults older than 65 years. Exercise under the direction of a physical therapist has been shown to reduce the risk of falls in older adults; however, it is not clear whether physical therapist-directed group-based exercise could produce similar results. ⋯ There is preliminary evidence to suggest that the group-based exercise is effective for falls prevention, quality-of-life enhancement, and balance improvements in the older adults comparable with traditional home exercise programs.
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Recent studies of ventilated, critically ill patients have shown early mobilization to be safe and resulting in better functional outcomes at discharge but have not focused on older adults. ⋯ Overall results indicate the feasibility and safety of implementing an early mobilization program to critically ill older adult patients.
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J Geriatr Phys Ther · Jul 2013
Implementing a cognitive-behavioral pain self-management program in home health care, part 2: feasibility and acceptability cohort study.
The prevalence of pain in older adults receiving home health care is high, yet safety concerns for analgesic therapy point to a need for nonpharmacologic approaches to pain management in this population. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility and acceptability to physical therapists (PTs) and patients of a cognitive-behavioral pain self-management (CBPSM) program. ⋯ This study offers preliminary data on the use of nonpharmacologic pain self-management strategies by PTs in home health setting. Positive feedback from PTs and patients suggests that the translated protocol is both feasible and acceptable.
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Fragility fracture prevention has been historically associated with the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. Given that the strongest determinant of fracture is falls, it is critical to add fall risk into clinical decision-making guidelines for fracture prevention. ⋯ Physical therapists can use this algorithm to better identify patients at greatest risk for fracture in order to customize interventions designed to promote bone health, minimize falls, and ultimately prevent fractures. Recommendations for referral, patient education, and exercise are provided for categories of varying fall and fracture risk.