Abstract
【Purpose】The purpose of this study was to verify the effect of 6 months of outpatient rehabilitation with additional abdominal muscle strength training in frail elderly people.【Subjects & Methods】Subjects were conducted in 20 frail elderly people (aged 80.5 ± 6.6 years) undergoing outpatient rehabilitation who were divided in to 2 groups: the control group (n = 11) that underwent outpatient rehabilitation alone, 2 or 3 days a week for 6 months.; and the intervention group (n = 9) that underwent outpatient rehabilitation with abdominal muscle strength training 20 times a day, 2 or 3 days a week for 6months. The motor and physical components of the functional independence measure (FIM) were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using the split-plot analysis of variance. Results】FIM-M, migraine stepladder position time, 5 m fastest walking speed were observed interaction. Intervention group showed significant improvement at migraine stepladder position time and 5 m fastest walking speed. However, the control groupshoweda significant decline in FIM.【Conclusions】Outpatient rehabilitation with abdominal muscle strength training might be effective as a health promotion in frail elderly people.
