Feasibility of Using Rebound Exercise in Community-Dwelling Adults With Neurological Disorders.

Abstract

Rebound exercise (RE) increases mobility in hospitalized adults with neurological disorders (AwND), but its feasibility in community settings remains largely unexplored. This study evaluates the practicality of implementing RE in the community, particularly for AwND. The feasibility study involved 53 community-dwelling AwND engaging in RE sessions for 30 min, once- or twice-weekly, over 12 weeks. Feasibility was assessed through recruitment rates, adherence, attrition, and participant feedback. The study measured blood pressure (BP), walking speed (WS), and physical activity level (PAL) at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Repeated measures ANOVA and the Friedman tests were used to test for significant differences across the time points. The study demonstrated high recruitment (70.59%) and retention (98.1%) rates, with most participants (76.9%) preferring once-weekly sessions due to time constraints. There were no reported injuries or adverse events. Most participants were older adults (50%), females (67.3%), and retired (55.8%). Significantly lower resting BP (p < 0.001), higher WS (p < 0.001), and PAL (p = 0.000) were observed after 12 weeks of RE. In conclusion, RE is a feasible, safe, and acceptable intervention for supervised community-dwelling AwND and could be a valuable tool for promoting PAL in this population.