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Factors influencing commencement and adherence to a home-based balance exercise program for reducing risk of falls: perceptions of people with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 January 2012

Plaiwan Suttanon ,
Keith D. Hill ,
Catherine M. Said ,
Karin N. Byrne  and
Karen J. Dodd
Plaiwan Suttanon*
Affiliation:
School of Physiotherapy, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia Preventive and Public Health Division, National Ageing Research Institute, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
Keith D. Hill
Affiliation:
Preventive and Public Health Division, National Ageing Research Institute, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia Musculoskeletal Research Centre, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia Allied Health Division, Northern Health, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
Catherine M. Said
Affiliation:
Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia Department of Physiotherapy, Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital, Heidelberg West, Victoria, Australia
Karin N. Byrne
Affiliation:
Preventive and Public Health Division, National Ageing Research Institute, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
Karen J. Dodd
Affiliation:
School of Physiotherapy, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia Musculoskeletal Research Centre, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Plaiwan Suttanon, Royal Melbourne Hospital (Royal Park Campus), PO Box 2127, Victoria 3050, Australia. Phone: +61 3 8387 2383; Fax: +61 3 8387 2153. Email: p.suttanon@nari.unimelb.edu.au; psuttanon@students.latrobe.edu.au.
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Abstract

Background: Balance exercise is an important component of falls-prevention interventions, with growing evidence that it can be beneficial for people with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, to implement a balance exercise program successfully for people with AD it is important to consider factors that can affect commencement and adherence to the program. This qualitative study explored these factors.

Methods: Ten participants with AD, who had completed a six-month home-based balance exercise program, and their caregivers (n = 9) participated. A phenomenological theoretical framework with semi-structured interviews was used for data collection and analysis.

Results: Factors influencing the decision to commence the program were: possible benefits of the program, recommendations from health professionals, value of research, positive attitude towards exercise, and minimizing caregivers’ burden. Factors influencing adherence to the program were grouped under 11 themes: six themes facilitated completion (program characteristics, physiotherapist, exercise recording sheet, caregivers’ support, sense of commitment, and perceived benefit) and five themes were barriers (pre-existing conditions, dislike of structured exercise, absence from home, caregiver's health or commitment, and bad weather).

Conclusions: A home-based exercise program with regular support from a physiotherapist and caregiver are key elements facilitating continuing program adherence in people with AD.

Keywords

balance exerciseadherencefallsAlzheimer's diseasequalitative studysemi-structured interview
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 24 , Issue 7 , July 2012 , pp. 1172 - 1182
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2012

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