Table 2.
Demographic characteristics of the control and intervention groups
| Variables | Control n = 8 | Intervention n = 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Age (yrs), mean ± SD | 87.5 ± 3.0 | 83.3 ± 7.5 |
| Females (%) | 7 (87.5) | 7 (87.5) |
| Height (m), mean ± SD | 1.5 ± 0.07 | 1.5 ± 0.08 |
| Weight (kg), mean ± SD | 70.3 ± 25.0 | 68.8 ± 15.4 |
| BMI (kg/m2), mean ± SD | 27.4 ± 7.4 | 27.4 ± 5.0 |
| sMMSE | 19.8 ± 4.7 | 20.2 ± 2.2 |
| Number fallers in preceding 12 months (%) | 2 (25%) | 3 (37.5%) |
| Smoking | 0 | 0 |
| Medical conditions and Musculoskeletal conditions n (%) | ||
| Dementia type diagnosis: | ||
| Alzheimer disease | 1 (12.5) | 5 (62.5) |
| Dementia – type not specified | 2 (25) | 2 (25.0) |
| Mixed dementia | 1 (12.5) | – |
| Vascular dementia | – | 1 (12.5) |
| Symptoms of dementia (no formal diagnosis) | 4 (50) | – |
| Arthritis/joint pain (Osteoarthritis/Rheumatoid Arthritis/undiagnosed pain) | 7 (87.5) | 5 (62.5) |
| Hypertension | 5 (62.5) | 6 (75.0) |
| Hearing impairments | 5 (62.5) | 5 (62.5) |
| Incontinence | 5 (62.5) | 5 (62.5) |
| Hypercholesterolemia | 3 (37.5) | 4 (50.0) |
| Depression/anxiety | 4 (50) | 3 (37.5) |
| Osteoporosis | 3 (37.5) | 2 (25.0) |
| Cardiovascular conditions | 1 (12.5) | 2 (25.0) |
| Diabetes mellitus | 1 (12.5) | 0 |
| Other metabolic conditions (Kidney/Thyroid Disorder) | 1 (12.5) | 2 (25.0) |
| Medication usage and type, n (%) | ||
| Taking medications | 8 (100) | 8 (100) |
| Median number of medications (Interquartile Range) | 9 (3.7) | 8 (6.2) |
| Pain relieving medications | 6 (75) | 7 (87.5) |
| Hypertensive medications | 6 (75) | 3 (37.5) |
| Anti-depressant medications | 6 (75) | 2 (25.0) |
| Cholesterol-lowering medications | 1 (12.5) | 3 (37.5) |
| Blood Thinners | 4 (50) | 1 (12.5) |
| Respiratory medications | 0 | 1 (12.5) |
| Glucose lowering medications | 1 (12.5) | 0 |
| Anti-inflammatory medications | 1 (12.5) | 2 (25.0) |
| Hormonal therapy medications | 2 (25) | 1 (12.5) |
| Socio-economic and education status | ||
| Education level—Secondary school or below (%) |
3 (37.5) 1 (12.5) unsure |
3 (37.5) |
| First generation migrants (born overseas) |
3 (37.5); Europe 1 (12.5) unsure |
2 (25.0); Europe |
| English first language | 8 (100) | 8 (100) |
| Marital status | ||
| Married/spouse | - | 2 (28.5) |
| Widowed | 5 (62.5) | 5 (62.5) |
| Single/divorced/separated | 3 (37.5) | 1 (14.2) |
sMMSE Standardised Mini-Mental State Examination; BMI = body mass index