[Cardiovascular responses during bed-to-wheelchair transfers in frail elderly subjects living at home].
Cardiovascular responses during bed-to-wheelchair transfers were measured in 22 frail elderly subjects (mean age, 79.7 years) and 11 healthy elderly subjects (mean age, 79.8 years) living at home. The frail elderly subjects were divided into two groups, based on the method of transfer: the dependent group consisted of 11 subjects who required additional help during all stages of the transfer, and the partially dependent or independent group consisted of 11 subjects who could perform the transfer with some help or independently. In the healthy elderly subjects, diastolic blood pressure increased significantly 15 minutes after the transfer compared to the pre-transfer measurement (p < 0.05). In the dependent group, there was no significant change in blood pressure, and mean blood pressure (MBP) decreased gradually after the transfer in 3 subjects. Only 4 subjects exhibited a normal change in heart rate variability after the transfer. These results suggest the existence of poor cardiovascular responsiveness in most of these subjects. In the partially dependent or independent group, there was a significant increase in blood pressure just after the transfer (p < 0.05), in 3 subjects, the blood pressure reached the WHO's defined hypertension threshold (SBP > 160 mmHg or DBP > 95 mmHg). In these subjects, performing the bed-to-wheelchair transfer independently may result in cardiac overload. The change in MBP in the dependent group was significantly lower than that of the partially dependent or independent group from just before the transfer to 15 minutes after the transfer (p < 0.05). Blood pressure responses during bed-to-wheelchair transfers in frail elderly subjects living at home may differ according to the method of transfer.
Hagiwara
Akiko
A
Department of Adult Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo.
Kanagawa
Katsuko
K
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001513:Beds; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology*; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014187:Transportation of Patients; D014910:Wheelchairs