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Casas Herrero, Álvaro

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https://academica-e.unavarra.es/handle/2454/48816

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Casas Herrero

First Name

Álvaro

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Ciencias de la Salud

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0000-0001-8430-8368

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812300

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Open Access
Impact on physical function of the +AGIL Barcelona program in community-dwelling older adults with cognitive impairment: an interventional cohort study
(BMC, 2023) Arnal, Cristina; Pérez, Mónica L.; Soto, Luis; Casas Herrero, Álvaro; Ars, Joan; Baró, Sonia; Díaz, Francisco; Abilla, Araceli; Enfedaque, M Belén; Cesari, Matteo; Inzitari, Marco; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Background: Older adults with cognitive impairment (CI) have higher multimorbidity and frailty prevalence, lower functional status and an increased likelihood to develop dementia, non-cognitive deficits, and adverse health-related events. +AGIL, a real-world program for frail older adults in a primary care area of Barcelona, is a pragmatic, multi-component and integrated intervention implemented since 2016. It includes physical activity, nutrition, sleep hygiene, revision and adequacy of pharmacological treatment, detection of undesired loneliness and screening for CI; to improve physical function in community-dwelling older adults. We aimed to assess the + AGIL longitudinal impact on physical function among community-dwelling frail older persons with CI. Methods: An interventional cohort study included data from all the + AGIL consecutive participants from July 2016 until March 2020. Based on the comprehensive geriatric assessment, participants were offered a tailored multi-component community intervention, including a 10-week physical activity program led by an expert physical therapist. Physical performance was measured at baseline, three and six months follow-up. The pre-post impact on physical function was assessed by paired sample t-test for repeated samples. Linear mixed models were applied to analyze the + AGIL longitudinal impact. P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: 194 participants were included (82 with CI, based on previous diagnosis or the Mini-COG screening tool), 68% women, mean age 81.6 (SD = 5.8) yo. Participants were mostly independent in Activities of Daily Living (mean Barthel = 92.4, SD = 11.1). The physical activity program showed high adherence (87.6% attended ≥ 75% sessions). At three months, there was a clinically and statistically significant improvement in the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and its subcomponents in the whole sample and after stratification for CI [CI group improvements: SPPB = 1.1 (SD = 1.8) points, gait speed (GS) = 0.05 (SD = 0.13) m/s, Chair stand test (CST)=-2.6 (SD = 11.4) s. Non-CI group improvements: SPPB = 1.6 (SD = 1.8) points, GS = 0.08 (SD = 0.13) m/s, CST=-6.4 (SD = 12.1) seg]. SPPB and gait speed remained stable at six months in the study sample and subgroups. CI had no significant impact on SPPB or GS improvements. Conclusion: Our results suggest that older adults with CI can benefit from a multidisciplinary integrated and comprehensive geriatric intervention to improve physical function, a component of frailty.
Open Access
A feasibility study for implementation 'Health Arcade': a study protocol for prototype of multidomain intervention based on gamification technologies in acutely hospitalized older patients
(MDPI, 2020) Cuevas Lara, César; Izquierdo Redín, Mikel; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabíola; Sáez de Asteasu, Mikel L.; Marín Epelde, Itxaso; Chenhuichen, Chenhui; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabrício; Ramírez Vélez, Robinson; García Hermoso, Antonio; Casas Herrero, Álvaro; Capón Sáez, Amaya; Lozano Vicario, Lucía; Criado Martín, Irene; Sánchez Latorre, Marina; Antoñanzas Valencia, Cristina; Martínez Velilla, Nicolás; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
The aim of this article is to present the research protocol for a study that will evaluate the feasibility of implementation of Health Arcade prototype multidomain intervention based on physical and cognitive training using gamification technologies at improving care for older people hospitalized with an acute illness. A total of 40 older people will be recruited in a tertiary public hospital at Pamplona, Spain. The intervention duration will be four to nine consecutive days. Additionally, the patients will receive encouragement for maintaining active during hospital stay and for reducing sedentary time. Primary implementation-related outcomes will be the adherence to treatment (i.e., number of games and days completed during the intervention period), reaction or response time, and number of success and failures in each game per day. Secondary implementation-related outcomes will be self-perceived grade of difficulty, satisfaction, enjoyment per game and session, and self-perceived difficulties in handling the prototype hardware. Other health-related outcomes will also be assessed such as functional capacity in activities of daily living, mood status, quality of life, handgrip strength, physical activity levels, and mobility. The current study will provide additional evidence to support the implementation of multidomain interventions designed to target older persons with an acute illness based on friendly technology. The proposed intervention will increase accessibility of in-clinical geriatrics services, improve function, promote recovery of the health, and reduce economic costs.
Open Access
Effect of a multicomponent exercise program and cognitive stimulation (VIVIFRAIL-COGN) on falls in frail community older persons with high risk of falls: study protocol for a randomized multicenter control trial
(BMC, 2022) Sánchez Sánchez, Juan Luis; Udina, Cristina; Medina Rincón, Almudena; Esbrí Victor, Mariano; Bartolomé Martín, Irene; Moral Cuesta, Débora; Marín Epelde, Itxaso; Ramón Espinoza, Fernanda; Sánchez Latorre, Marina; Idoate, Fernando; Goñi-Sarriés, Adriana; Martínez Martínez, Blanca; Escudero Bonet, Raquel; Librero, Julián; Casas Herrero, Álvaro; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Background: Falls represent important drivers of intrinsic capacity losses, functional limitations and reduced quality of life in the growing older adult’s population, especially among those presenting with frailty. Despite exercise- and cognitive training-based interventions have shown efectiveness for reducing fall rates, evidence around their puta‑ tive cumulative efects on falls and fall-related complications (such as fractures, reduced quality of life and functional limitations) in frail individuals remains scarce. The main aim of this study is to explore the efectiveness program combining an individualized exercise program and an executive function-based cognitive training (VIVIFRAIL-COGN) compared to usual care in the prevention of falls and fall-related outcomes over a 1-year follow-up. Methods: This study is designed as a four-center randomized clinical trial with a 12-week intervention period and an additional 1-year follow-up. Three hundred twenty frail or pre-frail (≥1 criteria of the Frailty Phenotype) older adults (≥75 years) with high risk of falling (defned by fall history and gait performance) will be recruited in the Falls Units of the participating centers. They will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to the intervention group (IG) or the control group (CG). The IG will participate in a home-based intervention combining the individualized Vivifrail multicomponent (aerobic, resistance, gait and balance and fexibility) exercise program and a personalized executive function-based cognitive training (VIVIFRAIL-COGN). The CG group will receive usual care delivered in the Falls Units, including the Otago Exercise Program. Primary outcome will be the incidence of falls (event rate/year) and will be ascertained by self-report during three visits (at baseline, and 6 and 12 weeks) and telephone-based contacts at 6, 9 and 12 months after randomization. Secondarily, efects on measures of physical and cognitive function, quality of life, nutritional, muscle quality and psychological status will be evaluated. Discussion: This trial will provide new evidence about the efectiveness of an individualized multidomain interven‑ tion by studying the efect of additive efects of cognitive training and physical exercise to prevent falls in older frail persons with high risk of falling. Compared to usual care, the combined intervention is expected to show additive efects in the reduction of the incidence of falls and associated adverse outcomes. Trial registration: NCT04911179 02/06/2021. © 2022, The Author(s).
Open Access
Inter-individual variability in response to exercise intervention or usual care in hospitalized older adults
(Wiley, 2019) López Sáez de Asteasu, Mikel; Martínez Velilla, Nicolás; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabrício; Casas Herrero, Álvaro; Cadore, Eduardo L.; Ramírez Vélez, Robinson; Izquierdo Redín, Mikel; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua, 2186/2014
Background: Exercise protocols applied during hospitalization can prevent functional and cognitive decline in older adults. The purpose of this study was to examine the individual response of acutely hospitalized patients to usual care and to physical exercise on functional capacity, muscle strength, and cognitive function and to assess the relationship with mortality at 1 year post-discharge. Methods: In a single-blind randomized clinical trial, 370 hospitalized patients [56.5% women; mean age (standard deviation) 87.3 (4.9) years] were allocated to an exercise intervention group (IG, n = 185) or a control group (CG, n = 185). The participants were older adults aged 75 years or older in an acute care unit in a tertiary public hospital in Navarra, Spain. The usual care group received habitual hospital care, which included physical rehabilitation when needed. The in-hospital intervention included individualized multicomponent exercise training programme performed during 5–7 consecutive days (two sessions/day). Functional capacity was assessed with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) test and the Gait Velocity Test (GVT). Handgrip strength and cognitive function were also measured at admission and discharge. Patients in both groups were categorized as responders (Rs), non-responders (NRs), and adverse responders (ARs) based on the individual response to each treatment during hospitalization. Results: The prevalence of Rs was higher and the prevalence of NRs and ARs was lower in the intervention group than in the control group for functional capacity (SPPB IG: Rs 85.3%, NRs 8.7%, ARs 6.0% vs. CG: Rs 37.9%, NRs 28.8%, ARs 33.3% and GVT IG: Rs 51.2%, NRs 47.3, ARs 1.6% vs. CG: Rs 18.0%, NRs 67.7%, ARs 14.3%), muscle strength (IG: Rs 62.3%, NRs 26.5%, ARs 11.3% vs. CG: Rs 20.0%, NRs 38.0%, ARs 42.0%), and cognition (IG: Rs 41.5%, NRs 57.1%, ARs 1.4% vs. CG: Rs 13.8%, NRs 76.6%, ARs 9.7%) (all P < 0.001). The ARs for the GVT in the control group and the ARs for the SPPB in the intervention group had a significantly higher rate of mortality than the NRs and Rs in the equivalent groups (0.01 and 0.03, respectively) at follow-up. Conclusions: Older patients performing an individualized exercise intervention presented higher prevalence of Rs and a lower prevalence of NRs and ARs for functional capacity, muscle strength, and cognitive function than those who were treated with usual care during acute hospitalization. An adverse response on functional capacity in older patients to physical exercise or usual care during hospitalization was associated with mortality at 1 year post-discharge.
Open Access
Effect of a multicomponent exercise programme (VIVIFRAIL) on functional capacity in frail community elders with cognitive decline: study protocol for a randomized multicentre control trial
(BioMed Central, 2019) Casas Herrero, Álvaro; Antón Rodrigo, Iván; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabrício; López Sáez de Asteasu, Mikel; Martínez Velilla, Nicolás; Elexpuru Estomba, Jaione; Marín Epelde, Itxaso; Ramón Espinoza, Fernanda; Petidier Torregrosa, Roberto; Sánchez Sánchez, Juan Luis; Ibáñez Beroiz, Berta; Izquierdo Redín, Mikel; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua
Background: The benefit of physical exercise in ageing and particularly in frailty has been the aim of recent research. Moreover, physical activity in the elderly is associated with a decreased risk of mortality, of common chronic illnesses (i.e. cardiovascular disease or osteoarthritis) and of institutionalization as well as with a delay in functional decline. Additionally, very recent research has shown that, despite its limitations, physical exercise is associated with a reduced risk of dementia, Alzheimer disease or mild cognitive decline. Nevertheless, the effect of physical exercise as a systematic, structured and repetitive type of physical activity, in the reduction of risk of cognitive decline in the elderly, is not very clear. The purpose of this study aims to examine whether an innovative multicomponent exercise programme called VIVIFRAIL has benefits for functional and cognitive status among pre-frail/frail patients with mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Methods/design: This study is a multicentre randomized clinical trial to be conducted in the outpatient geriatrics clinics of three tertiary hospitals in Spain. Altogether, 240 patients aged 75 years or older being capable of and willing to provide informed consent, with a Barthel Index ≥ 60 and mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia, pre-frail or frail and having someone to help to supervise them when conducting the exercises will be randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. Participants randomly assigned to the usual care group will receive normal outpatient care, including physical rehabilitation when needed. The VIVIFRAIL multicomponent exercise intervention programme consists of resistance training, gait re-training and balance training, which appear to be the best strategy for improving gait, balance and strength, as well as reducing the rate of falls in older individuals and consequently maintaining their functional capacity during ageing. The primary endpoint is the change in functional capacity, assessed with the Short Physical Performance Battery (1 point as clinically significant). Secondary endpoints are changes in cognitive and mood status, quality of life (EQ-5D), 6-m gait velocity and changes in gait parameters (i.e. gait velocity and gait variability) while performing a dual-task test (verbal and counting), handgrip, maximal strength and power of the lower limbs as well as Barthel Index of independence (5 points as clinically significant) at baseline and at the 1-month and 3-month follow-up. Discussion: Frailty and cognitive impairment are two very common geriatric syndromes in elderly patients and are frequently related and overlapped. Functional decline and disability are major adverse outcomes of these conditions. Exercise is a potential intervention for both syndromes. If our hypothesis is correct, the relevance of this project is that the results can contribute to understanding that an individualized multicomponent exercise programme (VIVIFRAIL) for frail elderly patients with cognitive impairment is more effective in reducing functional and cognitive impairment than conventional care. Moreover, our study may be able to show that an innovative individualized multicomponent exercise prescription for these high-risk populations is plausible, having at least similar therapeutic effects to other pharmacological and medical prescriptions.
Open Access
Comment on 'Effects of Vivifrail multicomponent intervention on functional capacity' by Casas-Herrero et al.-The authors reply.
(Wiley, 2024) Sánchez Sánchez, Juan Luis; Izquierdo Redín, Mikel; López Sáez de Asteasu, Mikel; Antón Rodrigo, Iván; Galbete Jiménez, Arkaitz; Álvarez Bustos, Alejandro; Casas Herrero, Álvaro; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Estadística, Informática y Matemáticas; Estatistika, Informatika eta Matematika; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
In this response letter, we would like to clarify some aspects related to the methodology and inferences derived from our work entitled 'Effects of Vivifrail multicomponent intervention on functional capacity', which was aimed at investigating the effects of a home-based multicomponent individualized exercise programme (Vivifrail) on the functional capacity of frail older adults with mild cognitive impairment/dementia. Yan et al.2 raised concerns related to the amount of data missingness and methods used to handle it in our study. Although we addressed this issue as a limitation of the Discussion section of the original report, we now take the opportunity to further discuss its implications.
Open Access
Effects of Vivifrail multicomponent intervention on functional capacity: a multicentre, randomized controlled trial
(Wiley Open Access, 2022) Casas Herrero, Álvaro; Sáez de Asteasu, Mikel L.; Antón Rodrigo, Iván; Sánchez Sánchez, Juan Luis; Montero Odasso, Manuel; Marín Epelde, Itxaso; Ramón Espinoza, Fernanda; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabrício; Petidier Torregrosa, Roberto; Elexpuru Estomba, Jaione; Álvarez Bustos, Alejandro; Galbete Jiménez, Arkaitz; Martínez Velilla, Nicolás; Izquierdo Redín, Mikel; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua
Background: physical exercise is an effective strategy for preserving functional capacity and improving the symptoms of frailty in older adults. In addition to functional gains, exercise is considered to be a cornerstone for enhancing cognitive function in frail older adults with cognitive impairment and dementia. We assessed the effects of the Vivifrail exercise intervention for functional capacity, cognition, and well-being status in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: in a multicentre randomized controlled trial conducted in three tertiary hospitals in Spain, a total of 188 older patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia (aged >75 years) were randomly assigned to an exercise intervention (n = 88) or a usual-care, control (n = 100) group. The intervention was based on the Vivifrail tailored multicomponent exercise programme, which included resistance, balance, flexibility (3 days/week), and gait-retraining exercises (5 days/week) and was performed for three consecutive months (http://vivifrail.com). The usual-care group received habitual outpatient care. The main endpoint was change in functional capacity from baseline to 1 and 3 months, assessed with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Secondary endpoints were changes in cognitive function and handgrip strength after 1 and 3 months, and well-being status, falls, hospital admission rate, visits to the emergency department, and mortality after 3 months. Results: the Vivifrail exercise programme provided significant benefits in functional capacity over usual-care. The mean adherence to the exercise sessions was 79% in the first month and 68% in the following 2 months. The intervention group showed a mean increase (over the control group) of 0.86 points on the SPPB scale (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.32, 1.41 points; P < 0.01) after 1 month of intervention and 1.40 points (95% CI 0.82, 1.98 points; P < 0.001) after 3 months. Participants in the usual-care group showed no significant benefit in functional capacity (mean change of −0.17 points [95% CI −0.54, 0.19 points] after 1 month and −0.33 points [95% CI −0.70, 0.04 points] after 3 months), whereas the exercise intervention reversed this trend (0.69 points [95% CI 0.29, 1.09 points] after 1 month and 1.07 points [95% CI 0.63, 1.51 points] after 3 months). Exercise group also obtained significant benefits in cognitive function, muscle function, and depression after 3 months over control group (P < 0.05). No between-group differences were obtained in other secondary endpoints (P > 0.05). Conclusions: the Vivifrail exercise training programme is an effective and safe therapy for improving functional capacity in community-dwelling frail/prefrail older patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia and also seems to have beneficial effect on cognition, muscle function, and mood status.
Open Access
Effect of exercise intervention on functional decline in very elderly patients during acute hospitalization: a randomized clinical trial
(American Medical Association, 2018) Martínez Velilla, Nicolás; Casas Herrero, Álvaro; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabrício; López Sáez de Asteasu, Mikel; Lucía, Alejandro; Galbete Jiménez, Arkaitz; García Baztán, Agurne; Alonso Renedo, Javier; González Glaría, Belén; Gonzalo Lázaro, María; Apezteguía Iráizoz, Itziar; Gutiérrez Valencia, Marta; Rodríguez Mañas, Leocadio; Izquierdo Redín, Mikel; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Importance: Functional decline is prevalent among acutely hospitalized older patients. Exercise and early rehabilitation protocols applied during acute hospitalization can prevent functional and cognitive decline in older patients. Objective: To assess the effects of an innovative multicomponent exercise intervention on the functional status of this patient population. Design, Setting, and Participants: A single-center, single-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted from February 1, 2015, to August 30, 2017, in an acute care unit in a tertiary public hospital in Navarra, Spain. A total of 370 very elderly patients undergoing acute-care hospitalization were randomly assigned to an exercise or control (usual-care) intervention. Intention-to-treat analysis was conducted. Interventions: The control group received usual-care hospital care, which included physical rehabilitation when needed. The in-hospital intervention included individualized moderate-intensity resistance, balance, and walking exercises (2 daily sessions). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was change in functional capacity from baseline to hospital discharge, assessed with the Barthel Index of independence and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Secondary end points were changes in cognitive and mood status, quality of life, handgrip strength, incident delirium, length of stay, falls, transfer after discharge, and readmission rate and mortality at 3 months after discharge. Results: Of the 370 patients included in the analyses, 209 were women (56.5%); mean (SD) age was 87.3 (4.9) years. The median length of hospital stay was 8 days in both groups (interquartile range, 4 and 4 days, respectively). Median duration of the intervention was 5 days (interquartile range, 0); there was a mean (SD) of 5 (1) morning and 4 (1) evening sessions per patient. No adverse effects were observed with the intervention. The exercise intervention program provided significant benefits over usual care. At discharge, the exercise group showed a mean increase of 2.2 points (95% CI, 1.7-2.6 points) on the SPPB scale and 6.9 points (95% CI, 4.4-9.5 points) on the Barthel Index over the usual-care group. Hospitalization led to an impairment in functional capacity (mean change from baseline to discharge in the Barthel Index of -5.0 points (95% CI, -6.8 to -3.2 points) in the usual-care group, whereas the exercise intervention reversed this trend (1.9 points; 95% CI, 0.2-3.7 points). The intervention also improved the SPPB score (2.4 points; 95% CI, 2.1-2.7 points) vs 0.2 points; 95% CI, -0.1 to 0.5 points in controls). Significant intervention benefits were also found at the cognitive level of 1.8 points (95% CI, 1.3-2.3 points) over the usual-care group. Conclusions and Relevance: The exercise intervention proved to be safe and effective to reverse the functional decline associated with acute hospitalization in very elderly patients. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02300896.
Open Access
Assessing the impact of physical exercise on cognitive function in older medical patients during acute hospitalization: secondary analysis of a randomized trial
(PLoS, 2019) López Sáez de Asteasu, Mikel; Martínez Velilla, Nicolás; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabrício; Casas Herrero, Álvaro; Cadore, Eduardo L.; Galbete Jiménez, Arkaitz; Izquierdo Redín, Mikel; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua
Background: Acute illness requiring hospitalization frequently is a sentinel event leading to long-term disability in older people. Prolonged bed rest increases the risk of developing cognitive impairment and dementia in acutely hospitalized older adults. Exercise protocols applied during acute hospitalization can prevent functional decline in older patients, but exercise benefits on specific cognitive domains have not been previously investigated. We aimed to assess the effects of a multicomponent exercise intervention for cognitive function in older adults during acute hospitalization. Methods and findings: We performed a secondary analysis of a single-blind randomized clinical trial (RCT) conducted from February 1, 2015, to August 30, 2017 in an Acute Care of the Elderly (ACE) unit in a tertiary public hospital in Navarre (Spain). 370 hospitalized patients (aged ≥75 years) were randomly allocated to an exercise intervention (n = 185) or a control (n = 185) group (usual care). The intervention consisted of a multicomponent exercise training program performed during 5–7 consecutive days (2 sessions/day). The usual care group received habitual hospital care, which included physical rehabilitation when needed. The main outcomes were change in executive function from baseline to discharge, assessed with the dual-task (i.e., verbal and arithmetic) Gait Velocity Test (GVT) and the Trail Making Test Part A (TMT-A). Changes in the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) test and verbal fluency ability were also measured after the intervention period. The physical exercise program provided significant benefits over usual care. At discharge, the exercise group showed a mean increase of 0.1 m/s (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.07, 0.13; p < 0.001) in the verbal GVT and 0.1 m/s (95% CI, 0.08, 0.13; p < 0.001) in the arithmetic GVT over usual care group. There was an apparent improvement in the intervention group also in the TMT-A score (−31.1 seconds; 95% CI, −49.5, −12.7 versus −3.13 seconds; 95% CI, −16.3, 10.2 in the control group; p < 0.001) and the MMSE score (2.10 points; 95% CI, 1.75, 2.46 versus 0.27 points; 95% CI, −0.08, 0.63; p < 0.001). Significant benefits were also observed in the exercise group for the verbal fluency test (mean 2.16 words; 95% CI, 1.56, 2.74; p < 0.001) over the usual care group. The main limitations of the study were patients’ difficulty in completing all the tasks at both hospital admission and discharge (e.g., 25% of older patients were unable to complete the arithmetic GVT, and 47% could not complete the TMT-A), and only old patients with relatively good functional capacity at preadmission (i.e., Barthel Index score ≥60 points) were included in the study. Conclusions: An individualized, multicomponent exercise training program may be an effective therapy for improving cognitive function (i.e., executive function and verbal fluency domains) in very old patients during acute hospitalization. These findings support the need for a shift from the traditional (bedrest-based) hospitalization to one that recognizes the important role of maintaining functional capacity and cognitive function in older adults, key components of intrinsic capacity.
Open Access
Ejercicio físico como intervención eficaz en el anciano frágil
(Gobierno de Navarra, 2012) Casas Herrero, Álvaro; Izquierdo Redín, Mikel; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua
El síndrome de la fragilidad define a los ancianos vulnerables que tienen un riesgo elevado de sufrir eventos adversos. Su fisiopatología y etiopatogenia es compleja, pero actualmente disponemos de medidas sencillas de capacidad funcional para su evaluación. La inactividad física, que frecuentemente asocia el envejecimiento, es uno de los factores fundamentales que contribuye a la aparición de sarcopenia, aspecto central de la fragilidad. Los programas de ejercicio físico multicomponente y, particularmente el entrenamiento de la fuerza, constituyen las intervenciones más eficaces para retrasar la discapacidad y otros eventos adversos. Así mismo, han demostrado su utilidad en otros dominios frecuentemente asociados a este síndrome como las caídas, el deterioro cognitivo y la depresión. Sin embargo, es necesario investigar cuáles son los componentes óptimos de un programa de fuerza en el frágil, así como la óptima relación dosis-respuesta que permita desarrollar guías clínicas específicas de actividad física para este grupo poblacional.