BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The sit to stand (STS) movement is commonly performed in daily life, and can be used as an indicator of activity. This study aimed to quantify the usual frequency and distribution of the STS movement performed by older adults in both home and rehabilitation settings. METHODS: Three groups of older adults were recruited; healthy older adults living in the community, older adults living in the community attending rehabilitation services at a day hospital, and frail older patients in a rehabilitation ward. Participants wore an activity monitor, which reported posture continuously for a week. The number of STS movements was the primary outcome measure, and mean values of daily STS frequency were reported. The pattern of activity was investigated using median values of STS hourly rate. RESULTS: Healthy older adults living in the community performed significantly more STS movements per day (n=20; 71±25) than either older adults attending a day hospital (n=20; 57±23) or frail older patients in a rehabilitation ward (n=30; 36±16). For all participants, the hourly rate of STS movements ranged from zero to 48, although the median hourly rate was two (healthy older adults) and one (both rehabilitation groups). CONCLUSION: Measurement of the number of STS movements performed over the course of a week in three groups of older adults, demonstrated significant differences in daily number of STS movements and in the hourly pattern between the groups. Activity patterns can provide additional information on clinically relevant aspects of physical activity and function to daily averages.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The sit to stand (STS) movement is commonly performed in daily life, and can be used as an indicator of activity. This study aimed to quantify the usual frequency and distribution of the STS movement performed by older adults in both home and rehabilitation settings. METHODS: Three groups of older adults were recruited; healthy older adults living in the community, older adults living in the community attending rehabilitation services at a day hospital, and frail older patients in a rehabilitation ward. Participants wore an activity monitor, which reported posture continuously for a week. The number of STS movements was the primary outcome measure, and mean values of daily STS frequency were reported. The pattern of activity was investigated using median values of STS hourly rate. RESULTS: Healthy older adults living in the community performed significantly more STS movements per day (n=20; 71±25) than either older adults attending a day hospital (n=20; 57±23) or frail older patients in a rehabilitation ward (n=30; 36±16). For all participants, the hourly rate of STS movements ranged from zero to 48, although the median hourly rate was two (healthy older adults) and one (both rehabilitation groups). CONCLUSION: Measurement of the number of STS movements performed over the course of a week in three groups of older adults, demonstrated significant differences in daily number of STS movements and in the hourly pattern between the groups. Activity patterns can provide additional information on clinically relevant aspects of physical activity and function to daily averages.
Authors: Jennifer Scott; Ukachukwu O Abaraogu; Graham Ellis; Maria Giné-Garriga; Dawn A Skelton Journal: Eur Geriatr Med Date: 2020-10-15 Impact factor: 1.710