Improving geriatric functionality: Physiotherapeutic intervention in institutionalized older adults
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37431/conectividad.v7i1.471Keywords:
Environmental education, Responsible consumption, Sustainable development, Typology of responsible consumptionAbstract
Population aging presents significant challenges for public health, particularly among bedridden older adults who reside in geriatric centers and exhibit chronic diseases and multiple geriatric syndromes. This study corresponds to the second stage of a research project conducted at the Santa Luisa de Marillac Geriatric Center in Imbabura, Ecuador, and aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a physical rehabilitation protocol. A quasi-experimental single-group pretest–posttest design was implemented, using three validated instruments administered before and after the intervention: the Katz Index, goniometry and the Daniels Test. Statistical analysis was performed in R Studio using the effectsize package to calculate Cohen’s d. Results showed modest improvements in toileting and sphincter control, while dependence for feeding increased, likely due to the natural progression of neurodegenerative conditions. The systematic application of standardized tools enabled the detection of clinically meaningful changes and underscored the need for continuous and personalized assessments to guide therapeutic adjustments and improve quality of life among institutionalized older adults.
References
Abril-Ulloa, V., Encalada-Torres, L., Carpio-Arias, V., & Espinoza–Mejía, M. (2025). Factores asociados con el riesgo de sarcopenia en adultos mayores en Cuenca, Ecuador. La Ciencia al Servicio de la Salud y Nutrición, 15(2), B_33–42. https://doi.org/10.47187/cssn.Vol15.Iss2.348 DOI: https://doi.org/10.47187/cssn.Vol15.Iss2.348
Araya, A. X., Herrera, M. S., Iriarte, E., & Rioja, N. (2018). Evaluación de la funcionalidad y fragilidad de las personas mayores asistentes a centros de día. Revista Médica de Chile, 146(8), 864–872. https://doi.org/10.4067/s0034-98872018000800864 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4067/s0034-98872018000800864
Becerra, R. G. C., Villarreal Ríos, E., Galicia Rodríguez, L., Vargas Daza, E. R., & Martínez González, L. (2015). Estado de salud en el adulto mayor en atención primaria a partir de una valoración geriátrica integral. Atención Primaria, 47(6), 329–335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aprim.2014.07.007 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aprim.2014.07.007
Castro Daza, B. D. (2025). Efectos del ejercicio físico para mejorar la fuerza muscular de miembros inferiores en adultos mayores. CONECTIVIDAD, 6(2), 396–404. https://doi.org/10.37431/conectividad.v6i2.287 DOI: https://doi.org/10.37431/conectividad.v6i2.287
Duarte, M. M., Martínez de Haro, V., Sanz Arribas, I., & Berlanga, L. A. (2021). Functional flexibility in institutionalized sedentary older adults. Revista Brasileira de Cineantropometria e Desempenho Humano, 23, e73816. https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-0037.2021v23e73816 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-0037.2021v23e73816
Ema, R., Ohki, S., Takayama, H., Kobayashi, Y., & Akagi, R. (2017). Effect of calf-raise training on rapid force production and balance ability in elderly men. Journal of Applied Physiology, 123(2), 424–433. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00539.2016 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00539.2016
Encalada-Torres, L. E., Abril-Ulloa, S. V., & Sempértegui-León, S. R. (2025). Frailty associated with nutritional status, functionality, physical activity and socioeconomic level, in older adults in Ecuador, post-pandemic. BMC Geriatrics, 25(1), 794. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06232-w DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06232-w
Forttes Valdivia, P. (2020). Envejecimiento y atención a la dependencia en Ecuador (Nota técnica No. IDB-TN-2083). Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo. https://doi.org/10.18235/0002982 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18235/0002982
Gates, D. H., Smurr Walters, L., Cowley, J., Wilken, J. M., & Resnik, L. (2016). Range of motion requirements for upper-limb activities of daily living. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 70(1), 7001350010p1–7001350010p10. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2016.015487 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2016.015487
Hernández-Guillén, D., Tolsada-Velasco, C., Roig-Casasús, S., Costa-Moreno, E., Borja-de-Fuentes, I., & Blasco, J.-M. (2021). Association ankle function and balance in community-dwelling older adults. PLOS ONE, 16(3), e0247885. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0247885 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0247885
Jiménez S, C. E., Fernández G, R., Zurita O, F., Linares G, D., & Farías M, A. (2014). Programas de educación en salud y entrenamiento de la fuerza en adultos mayores con artrosis de cadera leve a moderada. Revista Médica de Chile, 142(4). https://doi.org/10.4067/S0034-98872014000400004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4067/S0034-98872014000400004
Jofré-Saldía, E., Villalobos-Gorigoitía, Á., Cofré-Bolados, C., Ferrari, G., & Gea-García, G. M. (2023). Multicomponent training in progressive phases improves functional capacity, physical capacity, quality of life, and exercise motivation in community-dwelling older adults: A randomized clinical trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3), 2755. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032755 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032755
Kanayama, A., Minami, M., Yamamoto, S., Ohmine, T., Fujiwara, M., Murakami, T., Okuno, S., Ueba, R., & Iwata, A. (2022). Examination of the impact of strength and velocity of the knee and ankle on gait speed in community-dwelling older adults. Healthcare, 10(10), 2093. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10102093 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10102093
Kaufman-Cohen, Y., Friedman, J., Levanon, Y., Jacobi, G., Doron, N., & Portnoy, S. (2018). Wrist plane of motion and range during daily activities. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 72(6), 7206205080p1–7206205080p10. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2018.026997 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2018.026997
Lluesma Vidal, M. (2019). Predicción del estado nutricional a través de la calidad de la dieta en personas mayores institucionalizadas. Nutrición Hospitalaria, 36(2), 293–300. https://doi.org/10.20960/nh.2361 DOI: https://doi.org/10.20960/nh.2361
Muñoz-Fonseca, F., Concha-Cisternas, Y., Díaz-Martínez, X., Celis-Morales, C., Zapata-Lamana, R., & Cigarroa, I. (2022). Efectos en la capacidad funcional de un programa de ejercicio físico terapéutico basado en telesalud en personas con diagnóstico de osteoartritis de rodilla y cadera. Revista Médica de Chile, 150(1), 33–45. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0034-98872022000100033 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4067/S0034-98872022000100033
Oosterwijk, A. M., Nieuwenhuis, M. K., van der Schans, C. P., & Mouton, L. J. (2018). Shoulder and elbow range of motion for the performance of activities of daily living: A systematic review. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 34(7), 505–528. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2017.1422206 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2017.1422206
Ortiz Reyes, G. M., Pérez Pérez, D. F., Muyulema Moyolema, D. D. R., & Córdova Velasco, L. E. (2021). Ejercicios de equilibrio y coordinación en el adulto mayor con riesgo de caída. Mediciencias UTA, 5(4.1), 75–81. https://doi.org/10.31243/mdc.uta.v5i4.1.1133.2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31243/mdc.uta.v5i4.1.1133.2021
Pereira, B., Monteiro, D., Matos, R., Jacinto, M., Amaro, N., Antunes, R., & Rodrigues, F. (2024). Effect of a 12-week strength training program on muscle strength measures of institutionalized older adults: A pilot study. Healthcare, 12(14), 1428. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12141428 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12141428
Portilla Valencia, D. A., Gómez Ortega, J. D., Valenzuela Pineda, K. M., Londoño Mateus, J. C., & Castañeda Ortega, K. D. (2025). Valoración integral geriátrica en pacientes encamados residentes en el Centro Geriátrico Santa Luisa de Marillac. Conectividad, 6(2), 232–250. https://doi.org/10.37431/conectividad.v6i2.281 DOI: https://doi.org/10.37431/conectividad.v6i2.281
Rezola-Pardo, C., Irazusta, J., Mugica-Errazquin, I., Gamio, I., Sarquis-Adamson, Y., Gil, S. M., Ugartemendia, M., Montero-Odasso, M., & Rodriguez-Larrad, A. (2022). Effects of multicomponent and dual-task exercise on falls in nursing homes: The AgeingOn Dual-Task study. Maturitas, 164, 15–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2022.06.006 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2022.06.006
Ruiz-Jasso, L. V., Sifuentes-Leura, D., Acevedo-Alemán, J., Torres-Obregón, R., y Del Bosque-Moreno, J. (2022). Fragilidad, polifarmacia y riesgo de caídas en personas mayores. Revista Española de Geriatría y Gerontología GEROKOMOS, 33(2). https://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?pid=S1134-928X2022000200006&script=sci_arttext
Rydwik, E., Frändin, K., & Akner, G. (2004). Effects of physical training on physical performance in institutionalised elderly patients (70+) with multiple diagnoses. Age and Ageing, 33(1), 13–23. https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afh001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afh001
Ryoo, H. W., Bok, S.-K., Cho, M. H., & Ahn, S. Y. (2025). How does stretching exercise of the ankle joint affect balance and gait function in healthy older adults aged 65 to 75 years?: A randomized clinical trial. Medicine (Baltimore), 104(50), e46567. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000046567 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000046567
Salgado Palacios, I. del R., Herrera Fajardo, L., Sallago Vidal, M., & Lagomazzini Mellado, B. (2022). Asociación entre desnutrición y anciano. SANUM. Revista Científico-Sanitaria, 6(1), 42–51. https://revistacientificasanum.com/vol-6-num-1-enero-2022-asociacion-entre-desnutricion-y-anciano/
Sanchez-Lastra, M. A., Varela, S., Cancela, J. M., & Ayán, C. (2022). Upper versus lower body resistance exercise with elastic bands: Effects on cognitive and physical function of institutionalized older adults. European Geriatric Medicine, 13, 907–916. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41999-022-00616-6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41999-022-00616-6
Spir Brunal, M. A., Posada Borrero, A. M., Rodriguez Guevara, C., Di Dio Castagna, R., Velasquez Correa, J. C., & Gonzalez Zuluaga, M. (2024). Intervenciones para adultos con dependencia funcional y sus cuidadores durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Rehabilitación (Madr.), 58(2), Artículo 100827. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rh.2023.100827 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rh.2023.100827
Venturelli, M., Lanza, M., Muti, E., & Schena, F. (2010). Positive effects of physical training in activity of daily living-dependent older adults. Experimental Aging Research, 36(2), 190–205. https://doi.org/10.1080/03610731003613771 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03610731003613771
World Health Organization. (2024). Ageing and health: Fact sheet. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Instituto Superior Tecnológico Universitario Rumiñahui
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
The originals published in the electronic edition under the first publication rights of the journal belong to the Instituto Superior Tecnológico Universitario Rumiñahui; therefore, it is necessary to cite the source in any partial or total reproduction. All the contents of the electronic journal are distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 International (CC-BY-NC 4.0) license.
2.png){kind=logo}
