Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42234658›Full record

Trial reportPloS one2026

Effectiveness of a home-based exercise program for improving upper limb function in community-dwelling older people: A pragmatic randomized controlled trial.

Amanda Bates, Cathie Sherrington, Susan Furber, Heidi Gilchrist, Paul van den Dolder, Karen Ginn, Adrian Bauman, Michelle Kershaw, Lisa Franco, Cathy Chittenden and 1 more

Abstract readRandomized Controlled TrialPragmatic Clinical Trial
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Amanda BatesHealth Promotion Service, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Wollongong, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1557-0427
Cathie SherringtonSchool of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Susan FurberFormerly Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Wollongong, Australia.
Heidi GilchristSchool of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Paul van den DolderPrimary Care and Community Health, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2249-6954
Karen GinnFaculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Adrian BaumanSchool of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Michelle KershawHealth Promotion Service, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Wollongong, Australia.
Lisa FrancoIntegrated Care and Priority Populations, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Wollongong, Australia.
Cathy ChittendenDepartment of Physiotherapy, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Australia.
Anne TiedemannSchool of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundUpper limb dysfunction, including shoulder pain, is a major health issue for older people. Exercise is commonly used to treat shoulder disorders. This study aimed to determine the effect of a home-based upper limb exercise program on upper limb function compared to a lower limb exercise program, among community-dwelling people aged 65 years + .

methodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted. One group received a home-based exercise program targeting upper limb (UL) strength, mobility and function. The other group received a home-based exercise program targeting lower limb (LL) balance and strength. Both exercise programs were taught at three group-based sessions in weeks 1, 4 and 12 post-randomization. Participants were requested to complete exercises three times per week for 12 months. The primary outcome was UL function, measured with the self-report Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. Secondary outcomes included shoulder strength and range of motion (ROM), quality of life (QOL) and physical activity.

results617 participants were randomly assigned to UL (n = 307) or LL (n = 310) groups. Mean age was 73 years, (SD 6.0) and 64% were female. No clinically important or statistically significant between-group difference was detected in UL function (measured by the DASH) at 12 months (mean difference (MD) = 0.99, 95% CI -0.82 to 2.79, p = 0.283, n = 462). There were no significant between-group differences in shoulder ROM, most measures of strength, physical activity (device-measured and self-report), QOL and UL function at three and six months. Participants performed the exercises twice per week, averaging 104 exercise sessions (SD 69, median 117, range 0-371) over the 12-month intervention period.

conclusionPeople aged 65 + can successfully learn and adhere to a home-based exercise program for the UL with instruction provided in a group setting, however this program did not improve UL strength, mobility and function. Considering the increased rates of shoulder dysfunction in older age, more research is needed to determine the optimal exercise protocols for prevention of shoulder dysfunction.

Indexed as

Exercise TherapyUpper ExtremityAgedAged, 80 and overFemaleHumansIndependent LivingMaleMuscle StrengthQuality of LifeRange of Motion, ArticularTreatment Outcome

Identifiers

PMID42234658
PMCPMC13232793

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.