Older adults' experiences of exercise, cognitive training and health education for sleep
In interviews after a randomized trial, 21 adults aged 65 or older in Toledo, Spain, described generally positive experiences across control, Otago exercise and combined exercise plus CogniFit groups, including perceived sleep changes and other benefits. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
Twenty-one community-dwelling adults aged 65 or older from control, Otago exercise and combined exercise plus CogniFit groups were interviewed after a randomized trial in Toledo, Spain. [1]
Participants reported high satisfaction across all groups and perceived benefits for physical well-being, cognitive stimulation, social interaction and healthier habits beyond sleep. [1]
Main barriers were preexisting health conditions and difficulties using digital technology; many intended to maintain the healthy habits acquired. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Qualitative process evaluation with semistructured interviews, nested in a randomized controlled trial.
- Population / context
- Community-dwelling adults aged 65 or older in Toledo, Spain, who had taken part in the trial.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- September 24, 2026
Interviews with 21 older trial participants in Toledo
This qualitative process evaluation followed a randomized controlled trial in Toledo, Spain. Twenty-one community-dwelling adults aged 65 or older from three groups took part: a control group, a physical exercise group using Otago, and a combined exercise plus CogniFit group. The programs were designed to improve sleep. Participants completed semistructured interviews, which were audio-recorded, transcribed and analyzed with reflexive thematic analysis. The report followed COREQ guidelines for qualitative research.
Supporting source [1]
Six themes: satisfaction, perceived sleep and other benefits
Six themes emerged: participation experience, perceived changes in sleep, benefits beyond sleep, evaluation of program components, facilitators and barriers, and maintenance of healthy habits. Participants reported high satisfaction across all groups. Beyond perceived sleep changes, they described perceived benefits for physical well-being, cognitive stimulation, social interaction and healthier habits. Exercise was valued for its simplicity and adaptability; cognitive training was seen as stimulating despite initial technological challenges.
Supporting source [1]
Barriers and intentions to keep habits
The main barriers named were preexisting health conditions and difficulties using digital technology. Many participants intended to maintain the healthy habits acquired during the intervention. The authors say these findings offer insights for designing person-centered, accessible interventions and highlight factors that may influence engagement and maintenance in community settings.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. This is a qualitative interview study nested in one trial in Toledo, Spain, with 21 participants, so it describes experiences and perceptions, not measured effects or causes.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
De Paz-Montón LP, Carmona-Torres JM, Serrano-Fernández V, Santos-Costa P, de Oliveira-Xavier B, Laredo-Aguilera JA. · europepmc.org · September 24, 2026