Testing a frailty prevention program for older men during COVID-19: A 2-year mixed-methods pilot study

IF 1.6 4区医学 Q4 GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY International Journal of Older People Nursing Pub Date : 2023-09-29 DOI:10.1111/opn.12575

Michiyo Hirano Ph.D, Risa Takashima Ph.D, Ryuta Onishi Ph.D, Hiroki Abe PHN, M.S, Kazuko Saeki Ph.D

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Abstract

Background

Frailty is a syndrome related to declining functioning attributed to aging. As a reversible, often improved condition, preventive measures for frailty can be effective.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate a frailty prevention program for older men comprising face-to-face meetings and an original social mobile application. We also examined the effect of COVID-19-associated social isolation on the implementation of this program.

Methods

We conducted a mixed-methods pilot study featuring a single group before and after comparison of 11 man participants, ≥65 years, living in Japanese cities with a spouse or relatives. Program outcome measures included frailty, loneliness, grip strength, step count and mental health status. Process evaluation considered the experience of participants through a semi-structured interview.

Results

The intervention period included an interval of self-isolation owing to the spread of COVID-19. Among the outcomes, grip strength decreased after intervention. No significant negative changes were observed in other items. Themes emerging from participant experiences with the program included ‘Cooperation with researchers and contributing to research’, ‘Greater awareness of health’, ‘Interest in and experience of “newness”’, ‘Hesitation over active engagement’, ‘Casual ties with members’ and ‘Relationships that do not breach personal boundaries’.

Conclusions

Although the COVID-19 pandemic overlapped with the intervention, participants maintained their mental health. The program was a novel, stimulating experience for older men and demonstrated the usefulness of information and communication technology in supporting their social activities.

Implications for practice

As a community health nursing initiative for older people, we propose activities that combine group and online support. Frailty prevention programs for older men must contain content that stimulates their interests, such as ‘health’ and ‘newness’.

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测试新冠肺炎期间老年男性的虚弱预防计划：一项为期2年的混合方法试点研究。

背景：虚弱是一种与衰老引起的功能下降有关的综合征。作为一种可逆的、经常得到改善的疾病，针对虚弱的预防措施可能是有效的。目的：本研究旨在评估一项针对老年男性的虚弱预防计划，该计划包括面对面会议和一个原创的社交移动应用程序。我们还研究了与COVID-19相关的社会隔离对该计划实施的影响。方法：我们进行了一项混合方法的试点研究，在对11名≥65岁的男性参与者进行比较之前和之后，以单个组为特征年，与配偶或亲戚住在日本城市。项目结果测量包括虚弱、孤独、握力、步数和心理健康状况。过程评估通过半结构化访谈考虑了参与者的经验。结果：由于新冠肺炎的传播，干预期包括自我安慰的间隔。在结果中，干预后握力下降。在其他项目中未观察到显著的负面变化。参与者参与该项目的经历中出现的主题包括“与研究人员合作并为研究做出贡献”、“提高健康意识”、“对“新鲜感”的兴趣和体验”、，“与成员的随意联系”和“不违反个人界限的关系”。结论：尽管新冠肺炎大流行与干预重叠，但参与者保持了他们的心理健康。该项目对老年男性来说是一次新颖、刺激的体验，展示了信息和通信技术在支持他们的社交活动方面的有用性。实践意义：作为一项针对老年人的社区健康护理倡议，我们建议将团体和在线支持相结合的活动。针对老年男性的虚弱预防计划必须包含刺激他们兴趣的内容，如“健康”和“新奇”。

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来源期刊

International Journal of Older People Nursing Nursing-Gerontology

CiteScore

3.60

自引率

9.10%

发文量

期刊介绍： International Journal of Older People Nursing welcomes scholarly papers on all aspects of older people nursing including research, practice, education, management, and policy. We publish manuscripts that further scholarly inquiry and improve practice through innovation and creativity in all aspects of gerontological nursing. We encourage submission of integrative and systematic reviews; original quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research; secondary analyses of existing data; historical works; theoretical and conceptual analyses; evidence based practice projects and other practice improvement reports; and policy analyses. All submissions must reflect consideration of IJOPN''s international readership and include explicit perspective on gerontological nursing. We particularly welcome submissions from regions of the world underrepresented in the gerontological nursing literature and from settings and situations not typically addressed in that literature. Editorial perspectives are published in each issue. Editorial perspectives are submitted by invitation only.