Effect of the Otago Exercise Programme on the frailty of people between 65 and 80 years old.

AIM

To evaluate the effect of the Otago Exercise Programme on the frailty of non-institutionalized people between 65 and 80 years of age and study factors associated with frailty.

METHOD

Pre-post test study (baseline and after 12 months) without control group in people aged 65-80 years (living in the community and with independent ambulation) after being trained in the Otago Exercise Programme in 5 sessions: weeks 1, 2, 4 and 8, and a reinforcement session at 6 months. Patients were recruited from 3 health areas (n = 200). Frailty was assessed with the FRAIL scale.

RESULTS

There were 198 people who started the study and 161 completed the 12-month follow-up. The average age of the sample was 72.28 years; predominance of female sex 64.65%; low educational level 76.50%; people living alone 24.50%; overweight in 42%, and grade I obesity in 32.32%. Significant differences were observed with a P = .023 in the level of frailty between baseline and 12 months. The exploratory analysis identified significant differences before and after the intervention by sex (being a woman) (P = .018) and condition of living alone (P = .0468).

CONCLUSIONS

The Otago Exercise Programme prevents positive results in frailty in people 65 to 80 years of age and can help maintain function and prevent deterioration.