Journal
JOURNAL OF APPLIED GERONTOLOGY
Volume 39, Issue 2, Pages 181-191Publisher
SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC
DOI: 10.1177/0733464817746757
Keywords
exercise; family caregivers; heart failure
Categories
Funding
- National Institutes of Health National Institute of Nursing Research [P01 1PO1NR011587]
- Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health [UL1TR000454]
- Atlanta Veterans Administration Medical Center
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Objective: This randomized controlled trial was conducted to determine whether a 12-week home-based aerobic and resistance exercise program would improve physical function and caregiving perceptions among family caregivers (FCGs) of persons with heart failure. Method: Overall, 127 FCGs were randomized to one of three groups: usual care attention control (UCAC), psychoeducation only (PE), and psychoeducation plus exercise (PE + EX). Physical function measures (6-min walk test, handgrip, and upper and lower strength) and caregiving perceptions (Bakas Caregiving Outcomes Scale) were obtained at baseline and at 6 months. Results: FCGs in the PE + EX showed significant improvement in 6-min walk distance (p = .012), handgrip, and lower extremity strength compared with the PE and UCAC groups. The combined group had the greatest improvement in caregiver perceptions (p < .001). Conclusion: FCGs in the PE + EX group improved the most in physical function and caregiver perception outcomes. Directions for future research are provided.
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