Functional and Biomechanical Assessments of A Matter of Balance/Volunteer Lay Leader Model: A Pilot Investigation. (September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mehta, Ranjana K.; Liu, Jian; Shortz, Ashley E.; Yoshikawa, Aya; Lee, Shin D.; Pankey, Robert B.; Towne, Samuel D.; Smith, Matthew L.; Howell, Doris; Ory, Marcia G.
• Is Part Of: Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society ... Annual Meeting. Volume 58:Part 1(2014)
• Page Start: 185
• Page End: 189
• Publication Date: 2014-09
• Subjects: Human engineering -- Congresses; 620.8205
• DOI: 10.1177/1541931214581039
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1541-9312

Abstract

The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of A Matter of Balance/Volunteer Lay Leader model (AMOB/VLL), an evidence-based falls prevention program, on improving balance and mobility. Twenty-eight community-dwelling older adults completed an eight-week AMOB/VLL program. Pre/post assessments of biomechanical and functional outcomes of balance during single and dual-task trials, as well as perceptions of fear of falling, were compared using pairwise t-tests and Wilcoxon signed rank tests. Our findings suggest that while improvements in functional indicators of mobility and perception regarding fear of falling were observed, biomechanical and functional assessments specific to balance during the single-task trials remained unaffected by the intervention. Interestingly, the group exhibited improvements in biomechanical measures during the dual-task trials. Since AMOB/VLL primarily focuses on restructuring participants' perceptions about falls and only includes generalized exercises, including balance-specific training within the program can potentially improve balance outcomes among older adults.