HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Dubbert, P. M. Articles by Bilbrew, D. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Dubbert, P. M. Articles by Bilbrew, D.

Effects of Nurse Counseling on Walking for Exercise in Elderly Primary Care Patients

^a G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
^b University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Jackson

Patricia M. Dubbert, G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center (11M), 1500 E. Woodrow Wilson, Jackson, MS 39216 E-mail: Patricia.Dubbert{at}med.va.gov.

Background. Counseling sedentary primary care patients can increase physical activity, but whether this approach will increase exercise and fitness in elderly adults with chronic diseases remains to be determined.

Methods. After receiving individualized nurse counseling to begin a program of walking for health, 60- to 80-year-old primary care patients were randomized to one of three levels of telephone contacts over 10 months: (i) 20 nurse-initiated calls, (ii) 10 nurse-initiated calls plus 10 motivational calls programmed through an automated phone calling system, or (iii) no program-initiated phone contacts. Self-reported (diary) walking adherence was the primary outcome; other activity, social support, health quality of life, and measured walking performance, mobility, and body mass index and girths were also assessed during the initiation (months 1–6) and maintenance (months 7–10) phases of the trial.

Results. Average adherence for the 181 participants to the goal of walking at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days per week was 44% for initiation and 42% for maintenance. Participants receiving the combination of nurse-initiated personal and automated phone calls walked significantly more frequently than those with no phone contacts. Fitness improved in all three groups; changes were generally correlated with self-reported walking. Having a companion was associated with more frequent walking. Perceived quality of physical and mental health did not change.

Conclusions. Simple and relatively inexpensive nurse contacts can motivate elderly primary care patients to walk for exercise, and this activity is associated with measurable health benefits.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				P. M. Dubbert, M. C. Morey, K. A. Kirchner, E. F. Meydrech, and K. Grothe Counseling for Home-Based Walking and Strength Exercise in Older Primary Care Patients Arch Intern Med, May 12, 2008; 168(9): 979 - 986. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. A. Smitherman, D. E. Kendzor, K. B. Grothe, and P. M. Dubbert State of the Art Review: Promoting Physical Activity in Primary Care Settings: A Review of Cognitive and Behavioral Strategies American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, October 1, 2007; 1(5): 397 - 409. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. F. Zoeller Jr Physical Activity: Physical Activity in the Management of Osteoarthritis of the Knee and Hip American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, August 1, 2007; 1(4): 264 - 266. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. E. Morley Editorial. Mobility Performance: A High-Tech Test for Geriatricians J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., August 1, 2003; 58(8): M712 - 714. [Full Text] [PDF]