The benefits of exercise in individuals suffering from a variety of chronic conditions has been previously established, but still it is under-prescribed and overlooked as a potential treatment, according to an analysis and how-to guide compiled by researchers, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal and covered by Medscape.
Here are five things to know about the prescription of exercise for chronic conditions.
1. Knowledge: Like medication and surgery, prescribed exercise regimens must be tailored to the condition. To prescribe exercise for chronic conditions, clinicians must be well-versed in the details regarding the components and effectiveness of the exercise per specific condition.
2. Osteoarthritis of the hip and knee: Regardless of age or severity of condition, exercise can improve function and help manage pain in patients with osteoarthritis. When prescribing exercise to these patients, it must be made clear that osteoarthritis is not a wear-and-tear disease and that discomfort or pain during exercise does not indicate additional damage to the joint.
3. Preventing falls: Well-crafted exercise regimens can help prevent falls in the elderly. More effective exercise programs for this purpose provide a focus on balance improvement.
4. Type 2 diabetes: Evidence suggest aerobic exercise, resistance training or a combination of the two can assist in the improvement of glycemic control. The choice of exercise regimen should be driven by patient preference. Comorbities like mobility impairment or osteoporosis should likely be treated with resistance training instead of aerobic exercises, especially if the patient has a strong risk of falling.
5. Managing patients: In order to optimize the benefits of exercise prescription, clinicians must counter the patient's misconceptions, fears and lack of motivation by educating them and observing the exercises in the initial phases.
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