A Balance-Specific Exercise Intervention Improves Falls Risk but not Total Physical Functionality in Community-Dwelling Older Adults. (1st December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Smee, Disa J.; Berry, Helen L.; Waddington, Gordon S.; Anson, Judith M.
• Is Part Of: Physical & occupational therapy in geriatrics. Volume 32:Number 4(2014:Dec.)
• Page Start: 310
• Page End: 320
• Publication Date: 2014-12-01
• Subjects: Physical therapy for older people -- Periodicals; Occupational therapy for older people -- Periodicals; Older people -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; 615.820846
• DOI: 10.3109/02703181.2014.934945
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0270-3181

Abstract

<abstract> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <p> <italic>Aims</italic>: The aim of this research was to investigate whether a simple balance-specific exercise simultaneously improves physical functionality and falls. <italic>Methods</italic>: Thirty-two community-dwelling individuals aged 65–92 years were assigned to either the control or wobble-board group. Participants were assessed pre- and postintervention using the Physiological Profile Assessment (a measure of falls risk) and the Continuous-Scale Physical Functional Performance-10 (a measure of physical functionality). <italic>Results</italic>: Participants in the intervention group, wobble-board training, had a decrease in their risk of falling by 36% (<italic>p =</italic> 0.009, <italic>η_ρ</italic>² = 0.396), while the control group recorded a slight but nonsignificant increase (6%). No change was seen in their total Continuous-Scale Physical Functional Performance-10 score. <italic>Conclusion</italic>: A balance-specific intervention decreased falls-risk and improved balance but not sufficiently to affect total physical functionality.</p> </abstract>