2015 Volume 64 Issue 2 Pages 233-242
This study was a nonrandomized controlled trial, aimed to identify the effects of a walking program designed to improve the physical functions of elderly people requiring support or low-level care and receiving rehabilitation services at day care centers. Participants were 28 elderly people (mean age: 77.9±7.5 years). Twelve participants agreed to wear a physical activity monitoring device. Their daily walking goals were updated every week. Sixteen subjects designated as a control group only underwent personalized rehabilitation programs. The gait functions of all subjects were evaluated by several gait parameters before and after the 4-week intervention. ADL and QOL were assessed using the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute Gerontology Index of Competence and 8-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-8), respectively. The step length, walking angle, the stance phase ratio and the double-support phase ratio significantly improved in the intervention group after the walking program. Interaction effects of the stance phase ratio, the double-support phase ratio and QOL (mental component summery) were observed between the two groups. The walking program, combined with rehabilitation services, showed favorable effects on the gait functions, and QOL of elderly people, suggesting that it may be useful for preventing functional deterioration of the elderly requiring support or low-level care.
