France Mourey is a professor in Université de Bourgogne, France who has expertise in geriatric rehabilitation, particularly the assessment of balance and gait, frailty, and training of motor function in Alzheimer’s disease. She coordinates a research program called “Implicit motor learning in Alzheimer’s disease” that is supported by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (the peak research funding agency in France) and aims to develop virtual reality solutions for people with Alzheimer’s. France is also Vice-Chair of the Espace de Reflexion Éthique Bourgogne – Franche – Comté and chairs the Geriatrics Group of the Société Française de Physiothérapie.
France chose this article because it evaluates whether exercise that is incorporated into daily routines can improve function and reduce falls in older adults. France says “While structured exercise programs without direct links with daily activities can be very effective in young people, integrating exercises into daily life tasks may be a better approach in older people. This approach addresses the issue of program specificity.”
The systematic review identified six randomised controlled trials comparing integrated training with structured exercise, usual care or inactive control treatment for people aged over 60 years. The trials were conducted in community dwellers with a history of falling, those receiving home-based care, and in institutional care. Meta-analysis could not be performed because of the diversity of the trials. The results of individual trials suggests that integrated training is feasible and may increase adherence and improve some outcomes.
France says “Integrated functional training may be useful for getting older people to exercise. For example, incorporating ankle exercises into daily activities could maintain flexibility, balance and mobility. This review could be used to guide future trials.”
