Effect of reconditioning exercises program on hospital-acquired deconditioning in elderly hospitalized patients

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of the study were as follows: 1. To determine the effect of reconditioning exercise program on hospital-acquired deconditioning in elderly hospitalized patients. 2. To compare the conventional therapy and reconditioning exercise program training on the hospital-acquired deconditioning in elderly hospitalized patients. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two elderly hospitalized patients from the inpatient hospital setup were randomly allocated into two groups. Group A received conventional therapy and Group B received reconditioning exercise program. Outcome assessment was done using the visual analog scale, manual muscle testing, spirometry, and range of motion. Later, both the protocols were implemented 5 times a week for a total period of 4 weeks, that is, a total of 20 sessions. Results: Statistically significance was found to be present in Group B in terms of pain (P < 0.0001), respiratory capacities (P = 0.033), muscle strength (P = 0.025), and joint range of motion (P = 0.027). Conclusion: Reconditioning program shows significant improvement and is also beneficial in the reduction of pain, improving muscle strength and range of motion, and also in increasing lung capacities in hospital-acquired deconditioning in hospitalized elderly patients.