title: Effects of comprehensive geriatric intervention on physical performance among people aged 75 years and over.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We studied the effects of comprehensive geriatric assessment and multifactorial intervention on physical performance among older people.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a 3-year geriatric development project with an experimental design, 668 participants aged 75-98 were assigned to intervention (n=348) or control (n=320) groups. The intervention group received comprehensive geriatric assessment with an individually targeted intervention for 2 years. The outcome measures - performance in the Timed Up-and-Go (TUG), 10-meter walking and Berg Balance Scale tests - were gathered annually during the intervention and the 1-year follow-up after it.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With linear mixed models, over the 2-year intervention period, the intervention group was found to be improved in the balance (p<0.001) and walking speed (p<0.001) tests, and maintained performance in the TUG test (p<0.001), compared with the control group. The results remained significant 1 year post-intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Comprehensive geriatric assessment and individually targeted multifactorial intervention had positive effects on physical performance, potentially helping to maintain mobility and prevent disability in old age.
authors.affiliation: Gerontology Research Centre, Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland. katri.lihavainen@gmail.com
authors.forename: Katri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lihavainen
authors.forename: Sarianna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sipilä
authors.forename: Taina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rantanen
authors.forename: Jarmo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seppänen
authors.forename: Piia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lavikainen
authors.forename: Raimo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sulkava
authors.forename: Sirpa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hartikainen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology