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other·geriatrics, neurology, clinical trial, family medicine, internal medicine·PMC10403822

Exercise snacking to improve physical function in pre-frail older adult memory clinic patients: a 28-day pilot study

BMC Geriatrics · 5 authors, 5 centres

AI SUMMARY

FIDELITY 100%

POPULATIONPre-frail older adults (≥65 years) with mild cognitive impairment recruited from a memory clinic

INTERVENTIONA 28-day, twice-daily exercise snacking program consisting of five muscle-strengthening exercises

COMPARISONNo control group (single-group pre-post design)

This summary was generated by AI from a single paper. It has not been reviewed by a clinician and is not clinical advice. Verify against the source before acting on it.

AGENT 01 · STRUCTURED SUMMARY

TRACE TO SOURCE

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TL;DR

A 28-day pilot study tested a home-based 'exercise snacking' program in 21 pre-frail older adults with mild cognitive impairment. The intervention was highly acceptable, and completers showed significant improvements in physical function tests like the SPPB score and timed up-and-go.

Full summary

1,056 CHARS

This single-group pilot study evaluated the acceptability and potential efficacy of a 28-day home-based 'exercise snacking' intervention in 21 pre-frail older adults with mild cognitive impairment from a memory clinic. The intervention involved completing five muscle-strengthening exercises twice daily. Among the 18 participants who provided follow-up data, adherence was 85%, and the program was rated as highly acceptable. Statistically significant improvements were observed in physical function outcomes, including a large effect size for the total SPPB score (p < 0.01) and moderate effect sizes for the timed up-and-go test and 60-second sit-to-stand test (both p < 0.01). Qualitative feedback highlighted the program's simplicity and flexibility. Key limitations include the lack of a control group, a small sample size, and the potential for a learning effect on assessments. The findings suggest exercise snacking is a promising, acceptable format for this population, but large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm efficacy.

PICO

PPOPULATION

Pre-frail older adults (≥65 years) with mild cognitive impairment recruited from a memory clinic

IINTERVENTION

A 28-day, twice-daily exercise snacking program consisting of five muscle-strengthening exercises

OOUTCOME

Physical function measured by SPPB, timed up-and-go, 60-second sit-to-stand, and balance tests; acceptability

STUDY TYPE

other

SPECIALTY

geriatrics

SUMMARISED BY

AI pipeline

FIDELITY CHECK

100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10403822

Exercise snacking to improve physical function in pre-frail older adult memory clinic patients: a 28-day pilot study

BMC Geriatrics

READ THE FULL PAPER

ABSTRACT

Background Finding innovative yet feasible ways of preventing physical and cognitive decline in those at risk is a critical global challenge, with exercise being championed as a key precursor to robust health in later life. Exercise snacking, here defined as short bouts of sporadic [muscle-strengthening] exercise, is one such strategy designed to overcome typical participation barriers observed in older adults. This study examined the acceptability of exercise snacking amongst pre-frail older adults and explored the efficacy of this approach in improving physical function. Methods In this single group design, 21 pre-frail outpatients with mild-cognitive impairment were recruited from a UK memory clinic. To be eligible, participants were aged ≥ 65-years who scored 3–8 (inclusive) on the short physical performance battery (SPPB) and were not regularly engaging in sport or exercise. Participants completed a 28-day, twice daily, exercise snacking intervention, consisting of five muscle-strengthening exercises, with the aim being to complete as many repetitions as possible of each exercise in a minute. Acceptability of the intervention was measured quantitatively and qualitatively using a survey and topic guide informed by the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Pre- and post-intervention physical function was measured using the SPPB, timed up-and-go (TUG), and 60s standing balance and sit-to-stand tests. Results Eighteen participants provided follow-up data and showed 85% adherence to the exercise snacking intervention, measured as the proportion of all sessions completed out of a possible 56. Participants rated the intervention as highly acceptable (4.6/5) suggesting it supported their self-efficacy (4.3/5) was enjoyable (4.1/5) and had a low burden (2.1/5). Qualitative findings suggested the ease of use, flexibility of the programme, and perceived effectiveness was important, and particularly useful for non-exercisers. Changes in SPPB score (8(1) vs. 9(3), p < 0.01), TUG (11.32(4.02) vs. 9.18(5.25) seconds, p < 0.01) and in the 60-second sit-to-stand test (17 ± 5 vs. 23 ± 7 repetitions, p < 0.01) were seen between baseline and follow-up. Conclusions Exercise snacking is an acceptable and potentially efficacious format of exercise for pre-frail memory clinic attendees who are at heightened risk of falling and frailty. Large scale randomised controlled trials are required to confirm whether exercise snacking is effective in the short and long term. ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT05439252 (30/06/2022) Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-023-04169-6.

CITATION EXPORT

Max J. Western, Tomas Welsh, Kristen Keen et al.. Exercise snacking to improve physical function in pre-frail older adult memory clinic patients: a 28-day pilot study. BMC Geriatrics. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04169-6

AUTHORS

5 · 5 CENTRES

Max J. Western, Tomas Welsh, Kristen Keen, Vanessa Bishop, Oliver J. Perkin

1https://ror.org/002h8g185grid.7340.00000 0001 2162 1699Centre for Motivation and Health Behaviour Change, Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY UK
2grid.416091.b0000 0004 0417 0728Research Institute for Care of Older People, The RICE Centre, Royal United Hospital, Combe Park, Bath, BA1 3NG UK
3https://ror.org/0524sp257grid.5337.20000 0004 1936 7603University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1QU UK
4https://ror.org/058x7dy48grid.413029.d0000 0004 0374 2907Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, Bath, BA1 3NG UK
5https://ror.org/002h8g185grid.7340.00000 0001 2162 1699Centre for Nutrition, Exercise and Metabolism, Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY UK