Effects of a tailored exercise intervention in acutely hospitalized diabetic oldest old adults: An ancillary analysis

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the effects of a tailored exercise intervention in acutely hospitalized oldest old diabetic patients.

Research design and methods: This is an ancillary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. 103 acutely hospitalized older adults (mean age ~87 years) with type II diabetes were randomized to an intervention (exercise, n=54) or control group (usual care, n=49). The primary endpoint was change in functional status from baseline to hospital discharge as assessed with the Barthel index and the Short Physical Performance Battery [SSPB]. Secondary endpoints comprised cognitive function and mood status, quality of life (QoL), incidence of delirium, and handgrip strength. Exercise-related side effects, length of hospital stay and incidence of falls during hospitalization we also assessed, as well as transfer to nursing homes, hospital readmission and mortality during a 3-month follow-up.

Results: The median length of stay was 8 days (interquartile range, 4) for both groups. The intervention was safe and provided significant benefits over usual care on SPPB (2.7 [95% confidence interval 1.8, 3.5]) and Barthel Index (8.5 [95% CI: 3.9, 13.1]), as well as on other secondary endpoints such as cognitive status, depression, QoL and handgrip strength (all p<0.05). No significant between-group differences were found for the remainder of secondary endpoints.

Conclusions: An inhospital individualized multicomponent exercise intervention was safe and effective for the prevention of functional and cognitive decline in acutely hospitalized diabetic oldest old patients, although it had no influence on other endpoints assessed in during hospitalization of at 3-month follow-up after discharge.ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02300896.