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Effects of Walking-Only Intervention on Physical Function, Fall-Related Outcomes, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Journal of aging and physical activity
January 1, 1970
Tomoya Ishigaki et al. (14 authors)
Journal ArticleSystematic ReviewMeta-AnalysisHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine the effects of walking-only interventions on physical function, fall-related outcomes, and health-related quality of life in community-dwelling older adults.

Results Summary

Walking-only interventions improved walking endurance and health-related quality of life, but no significant improvements were observed in other outcomes. The certainty of the evidence was graded as very low due to inconsistency and imprecision.

Population

Community-dwelling older adults

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (3)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
walking-only intervention
increase
walking endurance
community-dwelling older adults
standardized mean difference: 1.11, 95% confidence interval: [0.08, 2.15]
improved
#1
walking-only intervention
increase
health-related quality of life
community-dwelling older adults
standardized mean difference: 0.71, 95% confidence interval: [0.18, 1.25]
improved
#2
walking-only intervention
no change
other outcomes
community-dwelling older adults
-
no significant improvements
#3
Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effects of walking-only intervention (walking was the only exercise in which people participated) on physical function, fall-related outcomes, and health-related quality of life in community-dwelling older adults. We conducted a systematic search across five electronic databases, assessing risk of bias using Minds Manual for Guideline Development. Meta-analyses were performed, and pooled standardized mean differences were calculated. Nine studies (a total of 1,309 participants) were included, showing that walking-only interventions improved walking endurance (standardized mean difference: 1.11, 95% confidence interval: [0.08, 2.15]) and health-related quality of life (standardized mean difference: 0.71, 95% confidence interval: [0.18, 1.25]). However, there were no significant improvements in other outcomes. The certainty of the evidence based on the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach for all outcomes was graded as very low, primarily due to significant inconsistency and imprecision. Our results suggest that walking-only intervention can be effective for enhancing walking endurance and health-related quality of life for community-dwelling older adults. Further studies are required to investigate the effects of walking-only intervention. This need stems from the limited number of randomized controlled trials, heterogeneous intervention settings and results, and the very low certainty of the evidence.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansQuality of LifeAccidental FallsIndependent LivingWalkingAgedPhysical Functional Performance
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy65/10
Quality70/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations1
Citations/Year1.0
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score1.32
Normalized Score0.60
Related Supplements
Effects of Walking-Only Intervention on Physical Function, F... | Panacea Index