Multidimensional Exercise Program Research Articles

Health benefits of a multidimensional exercise program for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

8010 Background: Cancer patients frequently experience considerable loss of physical capacity and well-being when diagnosed and treated for the disease. This study aims at evaluating the health benefits of a multidimensional exercise program for cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: The program includes high and low intensity activities (physical exercise, relaxation, massage and body-awareness training) carried out in groups of 7–9 patients 9 hours weekly for 6 weeks. Ninetythree patients with different cancer diagnosis were included, 82 completed the program of these 39 received adjuvant chemotherapy (2/3 breast cancer patients) while 43 were treated for advanced disease. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2Max) and repetition maximum strength (RM) were compared prior to and after completion of the program. Psychosocial well being and side effects were evaluated using questionnaires (EORTC, QLQ-36, SF-36,HAD) interviews and patient diaries. Results: VO2 max improved 16%, RM 40% (p<.001). Fatique, insomnia, constipation, diarrhoe and pain improved significantly. All 9 indicators of general well-being (SF-36) improved significantly including physical role (p<.0001) and emotional role (p<.0007), the latter in particular among elderly patients. Conclusions: Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy can significantly increase muscular strength, physical fitness and physical activity level, actively reduce treatment related side-effects and improve their quality of life by participating in a multidimensional exercise program. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Gender Related Study of High Risk of Falls in Elderly Population and Physiotherapy Management

Introduction: The number of elderly individuals within the population in increasing day by day because of various factors including increased standard of education and healthcare, new therapeutic agents and lifesaving drugs, etc. Projections beyond 2016 made by United Nations have indicated that 21 % of the Indian population will be over the age of 60 by 2050. Falls are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in persons over age 60. They are the leading cause of death from injury, a rate that increases with advancing age. Factors leading to falls include reduced balance, strength and endurance, reduced reflexes, etc. This study was intended to identify the gender differences in respect of falls, the risk factors, which contributes to falls and the effect of a multidimensional exercise program in improving balance, mobility and strength and reduce the likelihood for falls in men and women of geriatric homes. Methods: A total of 163 elderly Men and Women (M: F: 76:87) were assessed from four different Geriatric homes over a period of 16 months from August 2002 to November 2003. Participants were included based on the study criteria and by signing the informed consent form. Pretest scores were collected from all participants after which they were classified into high risk and low risk for fall. Both the high risk and low risk individuals were then randomly allocated to experimental and control groups within themselves, making a total of 4 groups. All the participants were given a prevention of fall program and a usual care whereas the participants in the intervention groups alone were given home-based exercise program for three months. Each individual was visited once in fifteen days. Posttest was assessed after 3 months of study and the data was statistically analyzed. Discussion: Out of 163 subjects studied 47(28.8%) subjects fell and they had 105 falls (mean=2.2). There was only one fall in 60-64 years, 17 falls in 65-74 years, 22 falls in 75-84 years and seven falls in above 85 years. Proportion of women who fell increased with age from about 26.6% in the 65-69 years age group to over 66.6% in those over age of 85 years. Most falls occur during periods of maximum activity in the morning or afternoon, and only about 20% occur between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. Study identified that 72.5% falls occurred in morning, 17.5% falls in afternoon, 5% in evening and 5% in night. This is because most falls occurs during the activities of daily living and people are more active in the morning and afternoon compared to evening and night. Women were at risk for falls, poor vision, use of medication, chronic condition, use of a walking cane, vertigo, imbalance, fear of falling and falls in the previous months were the significant risk factors for falling. The study found that a program of strength and balance training exercises which could be done at home reduces significantly the number of falls experienced by men and women aged 60 years and older. We have also shown that the individually tailored program is useful in improving balance, gait, strength and ADL. We conclude that the home-based individually tailored program is effective in improving balance, gait and strength as well as reduces no. of falls in elderly.

1172 Feasibility, physical capacity, and health benefits of a multidimensional exercise program for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

1172 Feasibility, physical capacity, and health benefits of a multidimensional exercise program for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

Feasibility, physical capacity, and health benefits of a multidimensional exercise program for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Cancer patients frequently experience considerable loss of physical capacity and general wellbeing when diagnosed and treated for their disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, physical capacity, and health benefits of a multidimensional exercise program for cancer patients during advanced stages of disease who are undergoing adjuvant or high-dose chemotherapy. The supervised program included high- and low-intensity activities (physical exercise, relaxation, massage, and body-awareness training). A total of 23 patients between 18 and 65 years of age (median 40 years) participated in groups of seven to nine patients for 9 h weekly for 6 weeks. Physical capacity in terms of repetition maximum (RM) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2)max), physical activity level and psychosocial wellbeing (EORTC QLQ-C30, SF-36, HAD) were compared prior to and after completion of the program. The program was safe and well tolerated. The completion rate was 85.2%. Highly significant increases in physical capacity (1RM, VO(2)max) and an improved level of physical activity were achieved. Quality of life and general wellbeing assessments indicated improvements in several measures, but without reaching significance. It is concluded that an exercise program, which combines high- and low-intensity physical activities, may be used to prevent and/or minimize physical inactivity, fatigue, muscle wasting and energy loss in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

The effect of a multidimensional exercise program on strength, range of motion, balance and gait in the well elderly

The effect of a multidimensional exercise program on strength, range of motion, balance and gait in the well elderly