Home-Based Indoor Physical Activity Programs for Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Review.

Abstract

Home-based exercise programs are a good strategy to promote benefits to health for people who cannot visit gyms, clinics, or have limited time for physical activity outside. To synthesize the effect of home-based indoor physical activity on psychosocial outcomes and mobility in community-dwelling older adults. A comprehensive search was conducted in the MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, SPORTDiscus, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. A total of 11 studies (13 publications) were included involving a total of 1004 older adults. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials was conducted using the aforementioned 7 databases. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Level 2. Two authors independently selected studies, extracted data, and determined the risk of bias and evidence level using the Grading quality of evidence and strength of recommendations (GRADE) guidelines. We conducted a synthesis without meta-analysis (SWiM) to assess the outcome. There is moderately certain evidence that home-based exercise programs reduced the fear of falling. Psychosocial (mental health and quality of life) and mobility outcomes may improve after participating in the intervention inside the home. The review found very low to certain evidence that home-based exercises programs improved psychosocial outcomes (mental health and quality of life) and walking speed (mobility). Moderately certain evidence suggests that home-based exercises improved fear of falling. CRD42020182008.