Abstract

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this study was to compare two-year effects of once-weekly and twice-weekly water exercise programmes at a day-service facility on the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of frail elderly people.

METHOD:

This single blind, prospective, longitudinal randomized pilot study separated 22 community-dwelling frail elderly people into once-weekly (once group: n = 10) and twice-weekly (twice group: n = 12) groups: the two-year exercise interventions were once- or twice-weekly 1-h sessions. Water exercise sessions comprised warming-up on land, activities of daily living (ADL) exercise, stretching, strength, and relaxation in water. The HRQL was evaluated using the Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form-36 questionnaire (SF-36); ADL dependence was assessed using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM).

RESULT:

Both groups showed significant increases over pre-intervention (pre) scores at 6 months and 12 months on Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary. In the once group, both were lower at 24 months than at 6 months and 12 months. The FIM scores were significantly different from pre at 6 months and 12 months in both once and twice groups, and between pre and 24 month in the twice group.

CONCLUSION:

Better than once-weekly exercise, twice-weekly water exercise controlled deterioration of HRQL, ADL, and knee extensor muscle strength (KEX) with ageing.