Long-term Benefits of a Lifestyle Exercise Program for Older People Receiving a Restorative Home Care Service: A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Restorative home care services are short term, individualized programs aimed at maximizing an older person’s ability to live independently and maintain their function. The services are made up of a number of components, including an exercise program to increase and maintain function of the older person. The aim of this study was to examine over the longer term, the effectiveness and maintenance of a (modified) lifestyle functional exercise program (LiFE) compared to the current, structured exercise program used in a restorative home care service. A pragmatic randomized controlled trial was employed with two study arms: LiFE (intervention) and a structured exercise program (control). Data were collected at baseline, post-intervention (eight weeks) and six months. No difference between the groups for exercise adherence was found. The LiFE group showed significantly better progress for 25% of the outcomes compared to the structured exercise group over the six months. Community and health care organizations delivering restorative home care services should consider this lifestyle exercise program for their clients. It is particularly appropriate for those older people who are not interested in structured types of exercise, those who will not keep using weights to offer resistance, or those who suggest they have limited time.