Effects of a Home-Based Exercise Program on Balance, Mobility, Activities of Daily Living, and Quality of Life in Homebound Older Adults

Purpose: With the rapid aging of the Korean population, the decline in physical function and quality of life among homebound older adults has become a significant public health concern.This study examined the impact of a home-based exercise program on the balance, mobility, activities of daily living (ADL), and quality of life in homebound older adults.Methods: Thirty-five homebound older adults residing in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province participated in an eight-week home-based exercise program, consisting of strength training, balance training, and gait training (twice per week).The assessments were conducted at baseline, four weeks, and eight weeks using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) for balance, the De Morton Mobility Index (DEMMI) for mobility, the Korean Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI) for ADL, and the Short Form-12 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-12) for quality of life.Repeated measures ANOVA and post-hoc paired t-tests were used for statistical analysis.Results: After eight weeks, significant improvements were observed in the SPPB, DEMMI, K-MBI, and SF-12 scores (p< 0.05).The physical (PCS) and mental health (MCS) components of the quality of life also showed positive changes. Conclusion:The home-based exercise program was effective in improving the physical function and quality of life in homebound older adults, suggesting its potential as an alternative approach to enhance rehabilitation accessibility for individuals with mobility limitations.Further studies with larger sample sizes and long-term follow-ups will be needed to validate these findings.