Research
Long-term maintenance of increased exercise involvement following a self-management intervention for housebound older adults with arthritis
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* Corresponding author: Kareen Nour kareen.nour.cvd@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
1 Centre de recherche et d'expertise en gérontologie sociale (CREGES), CSSS Cavendish-Centre Affilié Universitaire, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
2 Department of Kinesiology, University of Montreal; Associate Researcher, Groupe de recherche interdisciplinaire en santé (GRIS), University of Montreal, and Centre de recherche et d'expertise en gérontologie sociale(CREGES), CSSS Cavendish-Centre Affilié Universitaire, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
3 Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Montreal; Associate Researcher, Groupe de recherche interdisciplinaire en santé (GRIS), University of Montreal; Researcher, The Léa-Roback Centre on Social Inequalities of Health in Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
4 Health Care & Outcomes Research, University Health Network & Associate Professor, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 2007, 4:22 doi:10.1186/1479-5868-4-22
Published: 4 June 2007Abstract
Background
Sustained maintenance of health behaviors is a determinant of successful symptom reduction strategies for older adults with arthritis. This study examined whether or not short-term improvements in exercise involvement were maintained 8 months following a home-based arthritis self-management intervention as well as the moderating role of individual characteristics in the maintenance of behavior change.
Methods
Of the 113 housebound older adult participants at pre-intervention, 97 completed the post-intervention interview, and 80 completed the 8-month post-intervention interview.
Results
Some post-intervention improvements in exercise involvement were maintained 8 months later. More specifically, weekly exercise frequency, particularly regarding walking frequency, and variety of exercise activities were still significantly greater in the experimental group than in the control group 8 months following the completion of the intervention. No moderating influences were observed for any of the individual characteristics.
Conclusion
We conclude that gains in exercise involvement achieved through a self-management intervention can be maintained 8 months following the intervention.