title: Immobility in the aged.
abstract: Bed rest has historically been used therapeutically in the management of many chronic maladies prevalent in elderly persons. Unfortunately, the deleterious consequences of immobility predispose elderly persons to significant functional decline and reduced quality of life. Prolonged inactivity reduces the physiologic reserve of most organ systems, particularly the musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary systems. Consequently, muscle weakness, contracture formation, postural hypotension, and thrombogenic events are common in bed-bound patients. Fortunately, contemporary studies have dispelled the myth that inactivity fosters healing and have suggested techniques that may prevent immobility-induced dysfunction and ensure beneficial outcome in fragile and aging populations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Phoenix, Ariz.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rousseau
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001510:Bed Rest / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D052776:Female Urogenital Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D052801:Male Urogenital Diseases; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control