School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China.
Research Institute for Smart Ageing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Sep 30;18(19):10344. doi: 10.3390/ijerph181910344.
A wearable activity tracker (WAT) incorporated with behavioral change techniques (BCTs) increases physical activity in younger adults; however, its effectiveness with frail older adults is unknown. The feasibility and preliminary effects of a WAT-based exercise intervention to increase physical activity levels in frail older adults was investigated in this pilot study involving 40 community-dwelling frail older adults. The experimental group received a 14-week WAT-based group exercise intervention and a 3-month follow-up, while the control group only received similar physical training and all BCTs. The recruitment rate was 93%, and the average attendance rate was 85.2% and 82.2% in the WAT and control groups, respectively, establishing feasibility. Adherence to wearing the WAT was 94.2% and 92% during the intervention and follow-up periods, respectively. A significant interaction effect between time and group was found in all physical assessments, possibly lasting for 3 months post-intervention. However, no significant difference between groups was observed in any daily activity level by the ActiGraph measurement. The majority of the WAT group's ActiGraph measurements reverted to baseline levels at the 1-month follow-up. Thus, the WAT-based exercise program has potential for employment among community-dwelling frail older adults, but sustaining the effects after the intervention remains a major challenge.
可穿戴活动追踪器（WAT）结合行为改变技术（BCT）可以增加年轻成年人的身体活动量；然而，其在体弱老年人中的有效性尚不清楚。本研究旨在探讨基于 WAT 的运动干预措施在体弱老年人中增加身体活动水平的可行性和初步效果，共纳入 40 名社区居住的体弱老年人。实验组接受了为期 14 周的基于 WAT 的小组运动干预和 3 个月的随访，而对照组仅接受了类似的物理训练和所有 BCT。招募率为 93%，WAT 组和对照组的平均出勤率分别为 85.2%和 82.2%，表明具有可行性。在干预和随访期间，WAT 的佩戴依从率分别为 94.2%和 92%。在所有身体评估中均发现时间和组之间存在显著的交互效应，这种效应可能持续到干预后 3 个月。然而，在任何每日活动水平方面，通过 ActiGraph 测量，两组之间均无显著差异。在 1 个月随访时，WAT 组的大多数 ActiGraph 测量值恢复到基线水平。因此，基于 WAT 的运动计划在社区居住的体弱老年人中具有应用潜力，但在干预后维持效果仍然是一个主要挑战。
