Adherence
Mobility difficulties, pain, depression, and sleep problems are significant mediators explaining the association between chronic conditions/multimorbidity and low physical activity in older adults (≥50 years) in LMICs.
For older adults in LMICs with chronic conditions, simply diagnosing the condition isn't enough to increase physical activity. Healthcare providers must also assess and address mobility difficulties, pain, depression, and sleep problems, as these are the primary barriers preventing activity. Interventions should target these mediators to be effective.
In older adults, depression mediated between 5.1% (visual impairment) to 23.5% (angina) of the association between a chronic condition and low PA. Mobility difficulties explained more than 25% of the association for seven of the eight chronic conditions. Pain was a strong mediator for angina (65.9%) and arthritis (64.9%), while sleep problems mediated up to 43.7% (angina) of the association.
Why this rating
Based on mediation analysis within a large, multinational dataset, providing robust statistical evidence for the mediating roles of these factors.
Source
Chronic physical conditions, multimorbidity and physical activity across 46 low- and middle-income countries
Davy Vancampfort et al. · International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity · 2017
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