"STAND IF YOU CAN": A 22-week, single-blind, randomized controlled trial to evaluate gait speed in residents in a standing intervention in long term care

Oral Presentation C14.5

Authors

  • Danielle R. Bouchard University of New Brunswick
  • Kendra Cooling University of New Brunswick; Université de Moncton
  • Molly Gallibois University of New Brunswick
  • Martin Sénéchal University of New Brunswick, Fredericton
  • Jeff Hebert University of New Brunswick
  • Chris McGibbon University of New Brunswick
  • Emily Read University of New Brunswick
  • Pamela Jarret Saint John Regional Hospital; Dalhousie University
  • Linda Caissie Saint-Thomas University
  • Grant Handrigan Université de Moncton

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.735

Keywords:

Aging, Gait Speed, Sedentary Behavior

Abstract

Background: Many long-term care residents do not have the physical capacity to participate in structured exercise programs. Purpose: To examine the effects of a standing intervention on gait speed in a long-term care setting. Methods: Long-term care residents (70% female, 85 ± 7 years) were randomized 1:1 to a control or standing intervention using a cluster of four residences. Participants in the intervention attended 20-minute sessions comprising social interaction with assisted standing, five days per week for 22 weeks- for a goal of 100 minutes weekly. Participants in the control group received equal time in the same social interaction while sitting. The primary outcome was gait speed measured with the 10-metre walking test. ANCOVA adjusted for baseline gait speed was used to assess the impact of the intervention adjusted for baseline walking speed. Results: 96 participants completed the intervention with an average of 41.9 ± 30.3 minutes/week in the intervention group and 48.4 ± 22.8 minutes/week in the control group. ANCOVA yielded no significant between-group effect for gait speed when controlling for baseline gait speed in neither the intervention group (0.38 ± 0.14 to 0.37 ± 0.16 m/sec) nor the control group (0.44 ± 0.14 to 0.47 ± 0.22 m/sec). However, 15% of the intervention group exceeded the 0.1m/sec threshold for minimal important change. Conclusions: Standing for 48 minutes extra weekly did not increase gait speed in long-term care residents. Future research should examine how to increase attendance or the effects of standing on different outcomes that are relevant for residents in long-term care settings. Funding: Canadian Frailty Network.

Published

2021-09-30

How to Cite

Bouchard, D., Cooling, K., Gallibois, M., Sénéchal, M., Hebert, J., McGibbon, C., Read, E., Jarret, P., Caissie, L., & Handrigan, G. (2021). "STAND IF YOU CAN": A 22-week, single-blind, randomized controlled trial to evaluate gait speed in residents in a standing intervention in long term care: Oral Presentation C14.5. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.735