Tamari K. Baseline comorbidity associated with the short-term effects of exercise intervention on quality of life in the Japanese older population: an observational study.
To investigate predictors of responses to a class-based exercise program in terms of health-related quality of life (HRQOL).
A 3-month prospective cohort study.
General community.
A sample of community-dwelling Japanese volunteers (N=137; aged > or =65y) initially was included in the study. More than three fourths (76.6%) completed the follow-up examination.
Not applicable.
Eight domains of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, version 2, were used as main outcome measures. Candidate predictors included demographic variables, medical history of chronic diseases, and results of a set of physical performance tests at the baseline examination. Logistic regression models were used to detect predictors.
Bodily pain, vitality, social functioning, and mental health domains improved after the intervention (P<.01 vs baseline). The absence of diabetes mellitus showed an association with a good response in the identified domains, with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 2.88 (confidence interval [CI], .90-9.25). More than 20% of participants had negative changes in the physical functioning, physical role, general health, and emotional role domains at follow-up. The presence of osteoarthritis significantly predicted a poor response in these domains, with an adjusted OR of 6.75 (CI, 1.58-28.83).
Three months of class-based exercise is effective in alleviating bodily pain and the mental components of HRQOL; however, the effect of exercise on the physical domains of HRQOL may be limited. The presence of osteoarthritis may moderate the effects of exercise on HRQOL physical components.