title: [Physical training as treatment of reduced functional ability in frail 75+ year-olds living at home. A randomized intervention study in general practice with technological assessment elements].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to establish the value of physical training as a treatment of reduced physical ability in frail, elderly patients living at home.
  
  
  METHODS
  46 community-dwelling frail elderly patients (> 74 years) participated in a randomised, controlled intervention study. The intervention group was transported to training, whilst the control group was not activated. All had their physical functional ability determined using SF-36, Berg's Balance Scale, 10 m walking test and muscle strength test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intervention group had a significant improvement in functional ability measured by means of Berg's Balance Scale, walking test, muscle strength test and SF-36 (p < 0.01) compared with the control group. The average cost per patient was estimated at 121 DKK per training session, equivalent to 1452 DKK for a 12-week training period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The establishing of a "multi-component-training" as a treatment offer, to which general practitioners could refer their patients, would involve some costs, but savings due to reduced nursing care can be expected.
authors.affiliation: Forskningsenheden for Almen Medicin i Odense, Syddansk Universitet, Winsløwparken 19, DK-5000 Odense C.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vad
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Worm
authors.forename: Jens M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lauritsen
authors.forename: Peter Bo
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Poulsen
authors.forename: Lis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Puggaard
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Støvring
authors.forename: Jakob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kragstrup
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology; D005684:Gait; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science; D014853:Walkers