International Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Open Access

Abstract

Effects of Exercise for Aged Evacuees Living in Temporary Housing after the Great East Japan Earthquake: Differences between Group and Individual Exercise Programs

Shoji Yabuki, Kazuo Ouchi, Shin-ichi Kikuchi and Shin-ichi Konno

Background: To elucidate the effects of exercise in aged evacuees living in temporary housing after the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011. Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted in which 71 evacuees (mean age 75.9 years) undertook scripted exercise within an assembled social group (Assembled group: 60 people) or individually (Individual group: 11 people). Inclusion criteria were the ability to walk independently and consent to answer questionnaires. The subjects in the Individual group agreed to participate in this study, but refused to visit the assembly hall to engage in exercise and recreation with the others. Pain, health-related quality of life, physical function and level of activity were evaluated prior to beginning the program and at 3 and 6 months thereafter. The Mann-Whitney U test, Friedman's test and Chi-squared test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Pain prevalence showed no significant changes after the 6-month exercise classes. Health-related quality of life did not show significant improvement after the 6-month exercise classes. Summary score for "physical component summary" was significantly lower in the Individual group than the Assembled group 6 months after beginning the exercise classes. Physical function improved for a short period after the start of exercise. However, this effect was not significant at 6 months after the exercise classes. Level of activity did not show significant improvement after the 6-month exercise classes. Conclusions: Exercise classes implemented for evacuees living in temporary housing resulted in improved physical function for a short period of time, but did not bring about any significant improvements in pain, health-related quality of life or level of activity after 6 months. Other factors may have overwhelmed the hypothesized benefits of exercise in this population of elderly evacuees.