The relationship between physical activity levels as assessed by accelerometer and activity of daily living and quality of life in geriatric nursing home residents

Abstract

Purpose. To clarify relations between physical activity levels and activity of daily living (ADL) and quality of life (QOL) scales in elderly nursing home residents. Methods. Participants were ambulatory geriatric nursing home residents without dementia symptoms. Physical function (gait velocity and step length), ADL (Barthel Index), and QOL (Life Satisfaction Index A [LSIA] and Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale [PGC]) levels were measured. Physical activity level was assessed as activity energy expenditure and duration of physical activities (low and moderate intensities) calculated by accelerometer over 7 days. Intra-class correlation analysis was conducted to examine the consistency of each measurement results by the accelerometer. Variables on QOL scales were assessed by partial correlation coefficient analyses. Results. Seven subjects were recruited. Although a consistent significant relation was noted between activity energy expenditure and duration of low-intensity physical activity (under SMETs), no significant relation was seen between energy expenditure and duration of moderate-intensity physical activity (above 3 METs). LSIA was significantly correlated with gait velocity and step length. PGC was significantly correlated with energy expenditure and duration of low-intensity physical activity. Conclusions. Physical activity levels in geriatric nursing home residents could be quantitatively analyzed by accelerometer. Longer duration of low-intensity physical activity is important for the maintenance and improvement of QOL.