Long-term Effect of Physical Activity Counseling on Mobility Limitation Among Older People: A Randomized Controlled Study

Background Physical activity counseling increases physical activity among older people, but its effectiveness on mobility, that is, maintaining the ability to move independently, is unknown. We studied the effect of physical activity counseling on mobility among older people and evaluated whether counseling-induced benefits persist after cessation of the intervention. Methods In a 2-year, single-blinded, randomized controlled study, 632 sedentary participants aged 75–81 years were randomly assigned into the intervention (n = 318) or control (n = 314) group. The intervention group received a single individualized physical activity counseling session with a supportive telephone contact every 4 months for 2 years. The outcome measures—perceived difficulty in advanced (walking 2 km) and basic (walking 0.5 km) mobility—were gathered semiannually during the intervention and the 1.5-year postintervention follow-up. Results The proportion of participants with difficulties in advanced mobility at the beginning and end of the intervention was 34% and 38%, respectively, in the intervention group. In the control group, the corresponding proportions were 32% and 45%. The treatment effect was significant at the 2-year follow-up (odds ratio [OR] 0.84, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.70–0.99; p = .04) and remained significant 1.5 years postintervention (OR 0.82, 95% CI: 0.68–0.99; p = .04). The effect on basic mobility postintervention was parallel but nonsignificant (OR 0.87, CI: 0.69–1.09; p = .22). Conclusions Among older people, a single individualized physical activity counseling session with a supportive phone contact every 4 months for 2 years had a positive effect on mobility, an important factor for maintaining independence in the community in old age.