PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Takatori, Katsuhiko
AU  - Matsumoto, Daisuke
AU  - Nishida, Munenori
AU  - Matsushita, Shinnichiro
AU  - Noda, Tatsuya
AU  - Imamura, Tomoaki
TI  - Benefits of a novel concept of home-based exercise with the aim of preventing aspiration pneumonia and falls in frail older women: a pragmatic controlled trial
AID  - 10.1136/bmjsem-2016-000127
DP  - 2016 Jun 01
TA  - BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine
PG  - e000127
VI  - 2
IP  - 1
4099  - http://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/2/1/e000127.short
4100  - http://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/2/1/e000127.full
SO  - BMJ OPEN SP EX MED2016 Jun 01; 2
AB  - Aim To investigate whether home-based exercise with the aim of preventing aspiration pneumonia and accidental falls improves swallowing-related and physical functions in community-dwelling frail older women.Methods Participants were 266 community-dwelling frail older women in a long-term care prevention class (mean (SD): age 75 (5) years). Participants were allocated to either an intervention group or a control group. In the intervention group, participants were asked to perform, at least three times a week for 6 months, a home-based exercise programme that was specifically developed to prevent aspiration pneumonia and accidental falls. Control group participants were instructed to perform general stretching exercises only. Voluntary peak cough flow and lip closure force were measured as swallowing-related functions. Static and dynamic balance function, lower limb strength and flexibility were measured as secondary outcomes. Intervention effects were determined using t tests; effect sizes were calculated using Cohen's d.Results Voluntary peak cough flow in the intervention group was significantly greater than in the control group (p<0.01, d=0.5). However, lip closure force did not differ between groups. Regarding physical function, results of the Timed Up and Go Test (p<0.05, d=0.4), Chair Stand Test (p<0.01, d=0.4), maximal knee extension strength (p<0.05, d=0.4), and Sit and Reach Test (p<0.05, d=0.3) showed greater improvement in the intervention group.Conclusions Specifically developed home-based exercise as described in this study is simple and can be performed briefly. Improvements in voluntary peak cough flow and physical function indicate the possible usefulness of such exercise in preventing falls and aspiration pneumonia in community-dwelling frail older adults.Trial registration number UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR): UMIN000014880.