Role Of Physiotherapy In Cardiovascular Changes With Ageing

Abstract

Background: Ageing is associated with various cardiovascular changes that elevate the risk of heart-related complications. Physiotherapy has been proposed as a potentially effective intervention to mitigate these changes, but empirical evidence remains limited.
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the role of physiotherapy in improving cardiovascular health metrics—blood pressure, heart rate, and arterial stiffness—in elderly individuals aged 60 and above.
Methods: A mixed-methods approach was employed, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative data. One hundred participants underwent a 6-week physiotherapy intervention. Pre- and post-intervention metrics were collected and analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data.
Results: Statistically significant improvements were observed in all cardiovascular metrics post-intervention (Blood Pressure: F = 15.2, p < 0.001; Heart Rate: F = 10.3, p = 0.002; Arterial Stiffness: F = 8.2, p = 0.005). Qualitative findings supported these results, indicating a predominantly positive perception of the intervention among participants.
Conclusion: The study provides compelling evidence for the efficacy of physiotherapy in improving cardiovascular health among the elderly. These findings have significant implications for healthcare policy and clinical practice, advocating for the inclusion of physiotherapy in routine healthcare plans for older adults.