Publication date: Sep 24, 2023

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of virtual supervision and minimal supervision in a 12-week home-based physical exercise program on the mental health and quality of life of community-dwelling older adults. This study presents a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample comprised 38 elderly men and women (81. 6% women, mean age 68 +/- 6. 4 years; mean weight 69. 8 +/- 12. 1 km) without physical and/or cognitive impairments. The volunteers were divided into two groups: one group received virtual supervision (monitored via videoconference), while the other group received minimal supervision (monitored through weekly text messages). Both groups followed the same home-based physical exercise program, consisting of three sessions per week, differing only in the supervision strategy. Mental health was assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) in conjunction with the POMS questionnaire, which evaluates mood, and quality of life was assessed using the WHOQOL-OLD questionnaire. Our findings demonstrated statistically significant superiority of virtual supervision compared with minimal supervision in relation to depression (-2. 92, 95% confidence interval = -5. 22 to -0. 63). Conversely, minimal supervision exhibited superiority over virtual supervision regarding quality of life (-6. 70, 95% confidence interval = -11. 66 to -1. 73). Virtual supervision yielded better outcomes for the depression indicator, while minimal supervision favored the quality of life of older adults at the conclusion of the 12-week home-based physical exercise program. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; ••: ••-••.

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Original Article