Network-based geriatric rehabilitation for frail elderly people: feasibility and effects on subjective health and pain at one year.
OBJECTIVE
To study the feasibility and 1-year effects on subjective health and symptoms of a network-based geriatric rehabilitation intervention for frail elderly people.


METHODS
A randomized, controlled trial.


METHODS
A total of 741 frail elderly people who lived at home, aged > 65 years, without severe cognitive impairment (Mini Mental State Examination < 18), and eligible to receive Pensioners' Care Allowance (a benefit that is independent of personal income or insurance). The setting included 41 municipalities and 7 rehabilitation centres in Finland.


METHODS
Over a period of 8 months the intervention group received network-based rehabilitation for 3 in-patient periods (totalling 21 days) at rehabilitation centres and a home visit by a professional. Both groups received standard social and health services locally. Functional Independence Measure, subjective health, common symptoms and pain were assessed at baseline and 1-year follow-up.


RESULTS
After baseline measurements, 33 of those allocated to rehabilitation withdrew from the study. Of the 343 intervention subjects, 276 attended all 3 in-patient periods. At one year, there were no differences in symptoms between the groups. Subjective health was improved in the intervention group and impaired in the control group (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The network-based geriatric rehabilitation programme was feasible for use among the frail elderly people and improved their subjective health.
Hinkka
Katariina
K
Research Department, Social Insurance Institution, Turku, Finland. katariina.hinkka@kela.fi
Karppi
Sirkka-Liisa
SL
Pohjolainen
Timo
T
Rantanen
Taina
T
Puukka
Pauli
P
Tilvis
Reijo
R
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006304:Health Status; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D012649:Self Concept; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires