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HOME-BASED EXERCISE PROGRAM IN OLDER ADULTS IMPROVING SLEEP QUALITY AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Aging is associated with poor sleep quality and reduced cognitive function along with increased sedentary time, incorporating regular exercise may reverse these effects. However, travel and cost are often barriers to older adults engaging in regular exercise. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of home-based exercise programming on improving the sleep quality and cognitive function of independent-living older adults. METHODS: Older adults were recruited from area community centers to participate for 8-weeks in the home-based University of Lynchburg Active Aging Program (ULAAP). Endurance, strength, and balance exercises were prescribed using National Institute of Aging’s Exercise & Physical Activity Guidelines and ULAAP’s target: 150-minutes of weekly endurance, 2 days of 8 strength, and 8 balance exercises every week. Participants reported weekly progress to the research team. Physical activity (MET) and sedentary time (TSED) was assessed pre and post with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Sleep quality was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), along with total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency (SE), and cognitive function with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment version 7.2 (MOCA). RESULTS: 54 participants (Age = 69.9 ± 7.1years, 64.9% female, Race; white=35.1%, black=56.1%, asian=3.5%) completed 88% of scheduled sessions over the 8-week program. Over the 8 week program participants increased their physical activity ((MET pre 210.8 minutes per week±106.9, post 407.8 minutes per week±137.6, p=.000) and decreased their sedentary time (TSED pre 31.4± 14.5, post 22.7± 10.2 hours per week, p=.000) increased sleep quality and no effect on cognitive function (PSQI pre 7.2± 3.0, post 5.4± 2.3, p=.000) There was no significant change in the (MOCA pre 21.7± 3.1, post 21.5± 2.9, p=.044) increased sleep efficiency (SE pre 76.9 ± 10.7, post 80.8±7.5, p=.000) there was a slight increase in total sleep time (TST pre 6.8 ± .660, post 7.2± .617 p=.000) We analyzed the effect of pre MOCA score amongst our variables and found no difference between the none (26 or more), mild (18-25), moderate (10-17) cognitive impairment groups. CONCLUSION: The 8-week home- based exercise program decreased sedentary time and increased METS per week while increasing quality of sleep, sleep efficiency, total sleep time and having no effect on cognitive function.

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