Reliability and validity of the ratings of perceived stability scale as a measure of balance exercise intensity in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Purpose: The study aimed to determine the test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of the Ratings of Perceived Stability (RPS) scale as a measure of balance exercise intensity in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: Twenty participants with MS (mean age: 58.1 ± 15.

Caregiver Characteristics and Barriers to Resource Use: Findings From a Rural State Caregiver Survey.

Despite the key role family caregivers play in the US healthcare system, they are not systematically identified and tracked, limiting our knowledge about this important group. Our objective was to identify caregiver characteristics and barriers to service delivery in a primarily rural state. As part of a quality improvement project, a cross-sectional online survey was fielded in clinical and community settings.

Characteristics of Informal Caregivers and Social Participation of People With Dementia.

Background And Objectives: Social participation is associated with increased quality of life and well-being but declines following the onset of dementia. Informal caregivers may facilitate social participation among people with dementia. This study aims to identify characteristics of informal caregivers associated with social participation of people with dementia in valued activities.

Associations of Cognitively Active Versus Passive Sedentary Behaviors and Cognition in Older Adults.

Background: Cognitively stimulating sedentary behavior (SB) may positively impact cognition. This study aimed to (1) describe participation across types of SB among older adults with and without cognitive impairment and (2) examine how baseline SB participation impacts cognition, longitudinally.

Methods: We used National Health and Aging Trends Study data from rounds 6 to 11 for cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses.

Older adults with communication disabilities and their use of communication support at doctor's visits: a nationally representative study.

Purpose: Older adults with communication disabilities (CDs) experience barriers to receiving care and face a paucity of accommodations for their disability. Utilizing someone that supports communication with healthcare providers (communication support persons) may be a way that this group self-supports their disability. We examined if this utilization was independently associated with CDs among older adults.

Physical Therapist and Patient Perspectives on Mobile Technology to Support Home Exercise Prescription for People With Arthritis: A Qualitative Study.

Introduction Mobile applications (apps) for exercise prescription may enhance communication between healthcare providers and patients while addressing common barriers to exercise among people with osteoarthritis. However, little is known about preferences and barriers to the use of mobile apps by physical therapists or people aging with osteoarthritis. Therefore, we aimed to examine physical therapist and patient perspectives on mobile apps to support physical therapist-prescribed home exercise for people with osteoarthritis.

Electronic health record data extraction: Physical therapists' documentation of physical activity assessments and prescriptions for patients with chronic low back pain.

Background: Despite physical activity being a major component of managing chronic low back pain, < 50% of patients receive physical activity interventions. Electronic Health Records can deepen our understanding about this clinical gap.

Objective: We aimed to: 1) develop and test a data abstraction form that captures physical activity documentation; and 2) explore physical therapists' documentation of physical activity assessments and interventions.

Physical activity for patients with chronic low back pain: What are physical therapists prescribing?

Background: Despite the extensive evidence supporting physical activity (PA) for managing chronic low back pain (CLBP), little is known about PA prescription by physical therapists treating patients with CLBP.

Objective: 1) Explore how PA prescriptions provided by outpatient physical therapists treating patients with CLBP align with PA guidelines. 2) Examine the barriers and facilitators of PA prescription among physical therapists working with patients with CLBP.

Physical function in older adults with and without a cancer history: Findings from the National Health and Aging Trends Study.

Background: Previous studies identified physical function limitations in older cancer survivors, but few have included objective measures and most focused on breast and prostate cancer survivors. The current study compared patient-reported and objective physical function measures between older adults with and without a cancer history.

Methods: Our cross-sectional study used a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling, Medicare beneficiaries from the 2015 National Health and Aging Trends Study (n = 7495).

Exercise Intensity Among Older Adults Participating From Home in Remotely Delivered EnhanceFitness.

We aimed to examine exercise intensity among older adults participating from home in remotely delivered EnhanceFitness (Tele-EF). Exercise intensity was assessed through Fitbit-measured heart rate and the Borg 10-point rating of perceived exertion over 1 week of a 16-week exercise program. Outcomes included mean minutes spent at or above the heart rate reserve calculated threshold for moderate intensity and mean rating of perceived exertion.

Prevalence and sociodemographic characteristics of US community-dwelling older adults with communication disabilities, using the national health and aging trends survey.

Introduction: Identifying the population-level prevalence of a disability group is a prerequisite to monitoring their inclusion in society. The prevalence and sociodemographic characteristics of older adults with communication disabilities (CDs) are not well established in the literature. In this study we sought to describe the prevalence and sociodemographic characteristics of community-dwelling older adults experiencing difficulties with understanding others or being understand when communicating in their usual language.

Remotely delivered exercise to older rural cancer survivors: a randomized controlled pilot trial.

Purpose: The study aimed to determine the feasibility of remotely delivered exercise (tele-exercise) for older, rural cancer survivors and to explore the effects of tele-exercise on physical function, physical activity, and patient-reported outcomes.

Methods: Participants were rural cancer survivors age 60 years (79% female; mean age 70.4 ± 5.

The Relationship Between Mental and Physical Health and Walking During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: COVID-19 policies such as quarantining, social isolation, and lockdowns are an essential public health measure to reduce the spread of disease but may lead to reduced physical activity. Little is known if these changes are associated with changes in physical or mental health.

Methods: Between September 2017 and December 2018 (baseline) and March 2020 and February 2021 (follow-up), we obtained self-reported demographic, health, and walking (only at follow-up) data on 2042 adults in primary care with multiple chronic health conditions.

Evaluation of Electronic and Pen-and-Paper Formats of the Inventory of Physical Activity Barriers: A Randomized Crossover Study.

Background: The Inventory of Physical Activity Barriers (IPAB) assesses physical activity participation barriers. Development, refinement, and psychometric evaluation of the IPAB occurred via an electronic format. However, various circumstances may require using a pen-and-paper format.

Exploring the implementation potential of physical activity assessment and prescription tools in physical therapy practice: a mixed-method study.

Background: Despite the benefits of physical activity (PA), especially related to aging, physical therapists do not perform regular PA prescriptions secondary to various barriers, including lack of tools. Therefore, we developed the Inventory of Physical Activity Barriers (IPAB).

Objective: Explore potential solutions that could address the current lack of PA prescription among United States-based physical therapists treating patients 50 years and older.

A randomized trial to promote physical activity in adult pre-hypertensive and hypertensive patients.

The purpose of the pilot study was to determine the effectiveness of wearable activity trackers alone or in combination with behaviour change strategies for promoting physical activity (PA) among individuals with pre-hypertension or hypertension. A sample of 44 adults (68% female and mean age 55) were randomized to receive either a Fitbit Charge HR 3 alone (FB) or the Fitbit in combination with behaviour change strategies (i.e.

Remotely Delivered Exercise to Rural Older Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study.

Objective: EnhanceFitness (EF) is an evidence-based exercise program recommended for management of osteoarthritis (OA). However, access to EF is limited in rural areas. Accordingly, we evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of remotely delivered EF (tele-EF) in rural, community-dwelling older adults with symptomatic knee OA.

Nutrition Risk is Associated With Falls Risk in an Observational Study of Community-Dwelling, Rural, Older Adults.

Objectives: Poor nutritional status is a risk factor for falls and impedes recovery from falls in older adults. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between nutrition status and fall risk over time in a cohort of older adults.

Methods: Using an observational analytic study design, we collected demographic, fall risk, nutrition risk, food insecurity, and incident falls data from community-dwelling older Vermonters.

Physical Activity and Physical Activity Participation Barriers Among Adults 50 Years and Older During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective: We examined changes in physical activity from pre-COVID-19 to during the COVID-19 pandemic and the factors associated with reduced physical activity levels among adults 50 yrs and older.

Design: Participants of a validation study were stratified into being "less active than before" or "equally or more active than before" COVID-19. Multivariable manual backward analyses were used to identify self-reported barriers associated with the reduction in physical activity.

Technology Support Challenges and Recommendations for Adapting an Evidence-Based Exercise Program for Remote Delivery to Older Adults: Exploratory Mixed Methods Study.

Background: Tele-exercise has emerged as a means for older adults to participate in group exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, little is known about the technology support needs of older adults for accessing tele-exercise.

Objective: This study aims to examine the needs of older adults for transition to tele-exercise, identify barriers to and facilitators of tele-exercise uptake and continued participation, and describe technology support challenges and successes encountered by older adults starting tele-exercise.

The Inventory of Physical Activity Barriers for Adults 50 Years and Older: Refinement and Validation.

Background And Objectives: Due to health consequences associated with insufficient physical activity (PA), particularly among aging adults, health care providers should assess and address lack of PA participation. Addressing lack of PA means developing individualized PA prescriptions that incorporate solutions to PA participation barriers. Assessing PA participation barriers can be done through the Social Ecological Model-based Inventory of Physical Activity Barriers Scale (IPAB).

Community-Dwelling Older Adults and Physical Activity Recommendations: Patterns of Aerobic, Strengthening, and Balance Activities.

Though it is known that most older adults do not meet the recommended physical activity (PA) guidelines, little is known regarding their participation in balance activities or the full guidelines. Therefore, we sought to describe PA patterns among 1,352 community-dwelling older adult participants of the Adult Changes in Thought study, a longitudinal cohort study exploring dementia-related risk factors. We used a modified version of the Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors questionnaire to explore PA performed and classify participants as meeting or not meeting the full guidelines or any component of the guidelines.

Comprehensive comparison of Apple Watch and Fitbit monitors in a free-living setting.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of three consumer-based activity monitors, Fitbit Charge 2, Fitbit Alta, and the Apple Watch 2, all worn on the wrist, in estimating step counts, moderate-to-vigorous minutes (MVPA), and heart rate in a free-living setting.

Methods: Forty-eight participants (31 females, 17 males; ages 18-59) were asked to wear the three consumer-based monitors mentioned above on the wrist, concurrently with a Yamax pedometer as the criterion for step count, an ActiGraph GT3X+ (ActiGraph) for MVPA, and a Polar H7 chest strap for heart rate. Participants wore the monitors for a 24-hour free-living condition without changing their usual active routine.

The Inventory of Physical Activity Barriers for Community-Dwelling Adults 50 Years of Age and Older: Development and Preliminary Validation.

Background: Health care providers, including physical therapists, need to identify the reasons for insufficient physical activity (PA) to assist the 56% to 73% of community-dwelling adults 50 years of age and older who are not performing the recommended 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous PA. Currently, there is no feasible, multifactorial tool to assess PA barriers among this population. Without a tool, health care providers must either rely on self-generated questions or collate results from multiple assessments to identify PA barriers related to personal, social, and environmental factors, which can be time-consuming and incomplete.