Table 1.
Participant Characteristics.
| Characteristics | Subjects randomized to the control condition N=172 |
|---|---|
| Age in years, mean (SD) | 80.4 (7.7) |
| Females, n (%) | 134(77.9) |
| Education, mean years (SD) | 12.5 (3.5) |
| Total MMSE* score, mean (SD) | 27.2 (4.6) |
| Reported Health Status: n (%) reporting overall health as fair or poor | 55 (32.0) |
| Depression: n (%) self-reporting diagnosis of depression | 58 (33.7) |
| Arthritis: n (%) self-reporting disease on list of co-morbid conditions | 140 (81.9) |
| Vision Impairment: n (%) unable to watch TV due to poor vision | 28 (16.3) |
| Use of Assistive device: n (%) reporting use > 50% of time indoors | 60 (34.9) |
| Exercise: n (%) reporting engaging in physical activity ≥ 4 times/week | 27 (20.2) |
| n (%) reporting engaging in physical activity 1–3 times/week | 51 (38.1) |
| Activities of Daily Living: mean (SD) total score on Barthel† | 88.7 (16.5) |
| Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) Scale:‡ mean number of IADLs (SD) out of seven that subjects report performing independently |
4.9 (2.2) |
| Alcohol Use: n (%) reporting consumption of ≥ 3 drinks/week | 15 (8.7) |
| Caregiver in the home: n (%) of participants living with someone | 79 (45.9) |
| Hospitalizations: n (%) of subjects hospitalized ≥ 1 time in last 4 months | 30 (17.4) |
| Stroke: n (%) endorsing stroke on list of comorbid conditions | 40 (23.3) |
| Falls in year prior to study entry: n (%) reporting ≥ 2 falls | 95 (55.2) |
| n (%) reporting ≥ 1 falls | 154 (89.5) |
| Using Psychotropic medication(s): n (%) using ≥ 1 specified medication§ | 19 (11.1) |
Range of scores for MMSE : 0–30 points. Higher score indicates better global cognition.
Subjects rated on level of independence on 10 items from the Barthel Activity of Daily Living Scale [8]: feeding, grooming, bathing, dressing, toileting, bowel and bladder control, transferring, walking and stairs. Range of scores: 0–100 points. Higher score indicates greater independence.
Seven IADLs from the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale [9], including housework, preparing meals, transportation, shopping, finances, managing medications, and telephoning. Range of scores: Independent on 0–7 IADLs.
Inquired about use of the following psychotropic medications: antidepressants, sedative hypnotics, antihistamines, antipsychotics