Unexpected effects of cognitive-behavioural therapy on self-reported exercise behaviour and functional outcomes in older adults.

BACKGROUND

nearly 61% of older adults do not maintain recommended exercise levels emphasising the need for interventions that promote exercise.

OBJECTIVES

to compare self-reported exercise behaviour and functional outcomes over 1 year across three groups of older adults: a cognitive-behavioural therapy group, an attention-control education group and a control group.

DESIGN

randomised intervention.

SETTING

community exercise facilities.

PARTICIPANTS

three hundred and thirty-two older adults (mean age = 71.8 ± 5.1 years).

METHODS

all three groups received exercise training three times per week for 2 weeks and then one time per week for 8 weeks, during which time the therapy and education groups received their interventions. Blinded data collectors measured follow-up exercise behaviour and functional outcomes at 3-month intervals.

RESULTS

after controlling for previous year exercise behaviour, results showed that relative to the control group, the therapy and education groups increased their strengthening exercises over time (0.05 and 0.06 h/week higher, respectively); only the therapy group's change was significant. Also, relative to the control group, the therapy and education groups significantly reduced their 6-min walking distances over time (-1.6 m, P = 0.030 and -1.5 m, P = 0.026, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

although the therapy group increased their strength training, they reduced their 6-min walking distance.