Abstract:

Objective To construct a health intervention model for community-dwelling older adults with chronic diseases based on the International Classification of Diseases, Eleventh Revision (ICD-11) and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), and to analyze the health outcomes of three types of intervention models that integrate physical activity and chronic disease management.

Methods A scoping review was conducted by searching CNKI, Web of Science, PubMed and EBSCO databases for literature on community-based management of chronic diseases, physical activity, exercise rehabilitation, physical activity prescription intervention and related health outcomes up to May, 2023.

Results Eight studies from four countries were included, involving 568 randomized controlled trials and 4 359 participants aged 50 to 72. The studies were published mainly between 2017 and 2022. Community-based health intervention models for older adults with chronic diseases were categorized into three types: community health service models (chronic disease management and exercise rehabilitation), community physical activity models (prevention and health promotion) and mixed models (a combination of these two models). The community health service model focused on chronic disease management in the community, integrating community sports, and involving physical activity intervention, health education, dietary intervention, monitoring and motivation intervention, and care coordination, for six to 24 months, with the intervention attribute of rehabilitation and health promotion. The personnel involved doctors, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, social workers and primary healthcare clinicians. The community physical activity model focused on design and implementation physical activity intervention for chronic disease in the community environment, providing relevant physical activity advice and guidance, and personalized reinforcement and support. The physical activities included walking, cycling, warm-up exercises, cardiopulmonary fitness, muscle strength and balance training, coordination and stretching exercises, Taijiquan, Yoga, Qigong, and water sports; ten to 150 minutes a time, low to vigorous, for eight to twelve months, with the intervention attribute of prevention and health promotion. The personnel involved clinical staff, primary healthcare staff, exercise intervention experts and consultants, doctors, nurses, social workers and certified exercise coaches. The mixed model involved a chronic disease prevention and management plan, including physical activity counseling, lifestyle intervention related to physical activity, personalized health guidance and exercise program design, for six to twelve months, with the intervention attribute of prevention, rehabilitation and health promotion. The personnel involved sports coaches and retired professional athletes, dietitians, nurses, personal trainers, general practitioners, occupational therapists and physiotherapists. The main health outcomes involved body function-related indicators, such as control of weight, blood pressure, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, to reduce cardiovascular risk; relief of arthritis and herpes zoster pain, improvement in cognitive function and depressive symptoms. In terms of activity-related outcomes, the physical fitness improved, involving agility and dynamic balance, flexibility, muscle strength, and aerobic endurance; while the amount of physical activity increased, as well as the time spent on mild, moderate and vigorous exercise or leisure activities; the risk of fall reduced, the level of daily physical activity improved, and the self-efficacy and level of social participation increased.

Conclusion The community-based physical activity and health services models for older adults with chronic diseases may be classified as community health service model, community physical activity model and mixed model. A comprehensive intervention integrating physical activity and community health services can improve the health status, control the symptoms of chronic diseases, improve physical and mental functions, and increase the level of physical activity and quality of life for older adults with chronic diseases. The mixed model is a hybrid model that incorporates physical activity into community health services, which can provide comprehensive health interventions to make better health and health-related benefits.

Key words: older adults, chronic disease management, community-based rehabilitation, physical activity, International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, scoping review