A feasibility study on physical therapist interventions in the Japanese integrated health services and preventive care program for older adults

Abstract

[Purpose] This study examined the feasibility of including physical therapists in the Health Services and Preventive Care program at community gatherings. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 56 older adults from five community gatherings who did not have a long-term care insurance service. As part of the Health Services and Preventive Care program, interventions by physical therapists were conducted for 90 minutes once a month for 6 months at five community gatherings, which involved exercises, and home-based exercises. The feasibility outcomes were dropout rate, number of times people participated in the program, and understanding of frailty. The effectiveness outcomes were frailty, grip strength, walking speed, and five-times-sit-to-stand test. [Results] The feasibility study results showed a dropout rate of 4.3%, 4.7 ± 0.4 times participation, and a 93.2% frailty understanding. Effectiveness outcomes revealed no increase in frailty. The physical indices showed that all participants statistically improved in the five-times-sit-to-stand test (Pre: 7.3 ± 2.3 times, Post: 6.5 ± 7.6 times). [Conclusion] The results of the feasibility study indicate that the program is feasible because of the high rates of completion and frailty prevention understanding.