A randomized controlled trial of rehabilitation after hospitalization in frail older women: effects on strength, balance and mobility. 

Year: 2002  Country: Finland   Study Population: N=34/34 (training group/home exercise group)

Timonen L, Rantanen T, Ryynänen O, Taimela S, Timonen T, Sulkava R. A randomized controlled trial of rehabilitation after hospitalization in frail older women: effects on strength, balance and mobility. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports 2002;12(3):186-192.

Objective

To examine the effects of an out-patient multicomponent training program including strength training on muscle strength, balance and walking speed in old, home-dwelling, frail women after hospitalization and to determine how long the effects will last.

Methods

10-week training period (20 sessions) with a follow-up at 3 and 9 months after the end of the intervention. In the training group, exercises consisted of knee extension, knee flexion and hip abduction device exercises + functional exercises. 

Main outcomes: isometric strength of knee extension and hip abduction, dynamic balance (Berg Balance Scale), maximal walking speed. 

Outcome

After the intervention: significant improvements were observed in the training group compared
to the home exercise group in isometric knee extension strength (p=0.009), balance scale (p=0.001) and walking speed (p=0.022).

3-month follow-up: Effects on knee extension and hip abduction strength, balance and walking speed were still observed. 

9-month follow-up: some effects on hip abduction strength (p=0.004) and walking speed were still observed.