[Efficacy and tolerance of physical rehabilitation in frail hypertensives at advanced age].
BACKGROUND
Frail elderly persons often suffer from chronic illnesses, such of hypertension, for which increased physical activity presents as a nonpharmacologic element of treatment. Physical rehabilitation is underused for frail persons as a result of little information about safety and efficacy of exercises. The aim of the study was to determine tolerance and efficacy of different models of training in frail hypertensives at advanced age.


METHODS
Frail hypertensives over 75 years old were assigned to different models of home rehabilitation. Subjects of group I performed diverse active exercises, inclusive of walking and safe execution of postural shifts. Group II had a more intensive model of physical rehabilitation comprised of structured activities on a pedlar exerciser, balance training and also coaching on how to safely execute postural shifts. All models of training lasted 12 weeks. At the beginning and end of the study all subjects performed the Get Up and Go test and the 6-Minute Walk test (6MW). The results in both groups were compared using t-Students test.


RESULTS
Throughout 2001-2004, 65 subjects (aged 78-92 years) were examined. Group I included 25 subjects (16 F, 9 M) and group II - 40 subjects; 26 F, 14 M. Both groups were similar with regard to age, blood pressure, clinical parameters and initial results of performed tests. Exercise training was well tolerated in all patients. After 36-hours physical rehabilitation significant improvement was only noted with respect to the subjects from Group II. The time of the get up and go test was decreased and the distance covered during 6MW was longer.


CONCLUSIONS
Intensive physical rehabilitation may be safetly performed in frail hypertensives at advanced age and give enhance individual functional capabilities and gait velocity.
Katedra Rehabilitacji Klinicznej, Akademii Wychowania Fizycznego w Krakowie. wrzak@cyf-kr.edu.pl
Marek
M
Zak
Barbara
B
Gryglewska
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome