EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMUNITY-BASED INTEGRATED CHAIR AEROBICS AND PULMONARY REHABILITATION PROGRAM ON RESPIRATORY FUNCTION, SLEEP QUALITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG OLDER ADULTS RESIDING IN OLD AGE HOMES

Abstract

Background: Physiological changes and chronic illnesses that occur with age are associated with falling respiratory function, decreased quality of sleep, decreased physical abilities and decreased quality of life in older adults living in old age homes.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of community-based integrated (CB-I) chair aerobic exercises and pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programs on respiratory function, sleep quality and quality of life among older adults.

Methods: The PRISMA guideline was used in conducting a systematic review. PubMed and Google Scholar were used to conduct literature searches with keywords of older adults, chair-based exercise, pulmonary rehabilitation, respiratory function, sleep quality and quality of life. Seventy-nine (791) records were identified and, following the removal of duplicates, screening and eligibility assessment, 12 studies were included in the final review.

Results: The studies included in this review showed that pulmonary rehabilitation, respiratory muscle training, breathing exercises, and home-based rehabilitation interventions could enhance the respiratory performance, exercise tolerance, functional capacity, and health-related quality of life. The community-based and tele-rehabilitation models were found to be highly feasible and accessible, especially for older individuals who are mobility impaired.

Conclusion: Chair aerobics combined with PR could be a viable and effective method to improve respiratory function, sleep quality and quality of life in older people. More RCTs in the old age home environment are required to confirm long-term success and guidelines for implementation.