scholarly journals Comparison of Lateral Perturbation-Induced Step Training and Hip Muscle Strengthening Exercise on Balance and Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

Author(s):  
Mark W Rogers ◽  
Robert A Creath ◽  
Vicki Gray ◽  
Janice Abarro ◽  
Sandy McCombe Waller ◽  
...  

Abstract Background This factorial, assessor-blinded, randomized, and controlled study compared the effects of perturbation-induced step training (lateral waist-pulls), hip muscle strengthening, and their combination, on balance performance, muscle strength, and prospective falls among older adults. Methods Community-dwelling older adults were randomized to 4 training groups. Induced step training (IST, n = 25) involved 43 progressive perturbations. Hip abduction strengthening (HST, n = 25) utilized progressive resistance exercises. Combined training (CMB, n = 25) included IST and HST, and the control performed seated flexibility/relaxation exercises (SFR, n = 27). The training involved 36 sessions for a period of 12 weeks. The primary outcomes were the number of recovery steps and first step length, and maximum hip abduction torque. Fall frequency during 12 months after training was determined. Results Overall, the number of recovery steps was reduced by 31% and depended upon the first step type. IST and CMB increased the rate of more stable single lateral steps pre- and post-training than HST and SFR who used more multiple crossover and sequential steps. The improved rate of lateral steps for CMB exceeded the control (CMB/SFR rate ratio 2.68). First step length was unchanged, and HST alone increased hip torque by 25%. Relative to SFR, the fall rate ratios (falls/person/year) [95% confidence interval] were CMB 0.26 [0.07–0.90], IST 0.44 [0.18–1.08], and HST 0.30 (0.10–0.91). Conclusions Balance performance through stepping was best improved by combining perturbation and strength training and not strengthening alone. The interventions reduced future falls by 56%–74% over the control. Lateral balance perturbation training may enhance traditional programs for fall prevention.

Author(s):  
Nien Xiang Tou ◽  
Shiou-Liang Wee ◽  
Wei Ting Seah ◽  
Daniella Hui Min Ng ◽  
Benedict Wei Jun Pang ◽  
...  

AbstractTranslation of community-based functional training for older adults to reduce frailty is still lacking. We evaluated the effectiveness and implementation of a community-delivered group-based functional power training (FPT) program for frail older adults within their neighborhoods. A two-arm, multicenter assessor-blind stratified randomized controlled trial was conducted at four local senior activity centers in Singapore. Sixty-one community-dwelling older adults with low handgrip strength were randomized to intervention (IG) or control (CG) group. The IG underwent the FPT program (power and balance exercises using simple equipment) delivered by a community service provider. The 12-week program comprised 2 × 60 min sessions/week. CG continued usual activities at the centers. Functional performance, muscle strength, and frailty status were assessed at baseline and 3 months. Program implementation was evaluated using RE-AIM framework. The program was halted due to Coronavirus Disease 2019-related suspension of senior center activities. Results are reported from four centers, which completed the program. IG showed significantly greater improvement in the Short Physical Performance Battery test as compared to CG (p = 0.047). No effects were found for timed up and go test performance, muscle strength, and frailty status. The community program exhibited good reach, effectiveness, adoption, and implementation. Our study demonstrated that FPT was associated with greater improvement in physical function in pre-frail/frail participants as compared to exercise activities offered at local senior activity centers. It is a feasible intervention that can be successfully implemented for frail older adults in their neighborhoods. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04438876. Registered 19 June 2020–retrospectively registered.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Y. H. Song ◽  
Daina L. Sturnieks ◽  
Michael K. Davis ◽  
Stephen R. Lord ◽  
Yoshiro Okubo

Background: Walkway and treadmill induced trips have contrasting advantages, for instance walkway trips have high-ecological validity whereas belt accelerations on a treadmill have high-clinical feasibility for perturbation-based balance training (PBT). This study aimed to (i) compare adaptations to repeated overground trips with repeated treadmill belt accelerations in older adults and (ii) determine if adaptations to repeated treadmill belt accelerations can transfer to an actual trip on the walkway.Method: Thirty-eight healthy community-dwelling older adults underwent one session each of walkway and treadmill PBT in a randomised crossover design on a single day. For both conditions, 11 trips were induced to either leg in pseudo-random locations interspersed with 20 normal walking trials. Dynamic balance (e.g., margin of stability) and gait (e.g., step length) parameters from 3D motion capture were used to examine adaptations in the walkway and treadmill PBT and transfer of adaptation from treadmill PBT to a walkway trip.Results: No changes were observed in normal (no-trip) gait parameters in both training conditions, except for a small (0.9 cm) increase in minimum toe elevation during walkway walks (P < 0.01). An increase in the margin of stability and recovery step length was observed during walkway PBT (P < 0.05). During treadmill PBT, an increased MoS, step length and decreased trunk sway range were observed (P < 0.05). These adaptations to treadmill PBT did not transfer to a walkway trip.Conclusions: This study demonstrated that older adults could learn to improve dynamic stability by repeated exposure to walkway trips as well as treadmill belt accelerations. However, the adaptations to treadmill belt accelerations did not transfer to an actual trip. To enhance the utility of treadmill PBT for overground trip recovery performance, further development of treadmill PBT protocols is recommended to improve ecological authenticity.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Taeko Makino ◽  
Hiroyuki Umegaki ◽  
Masahiko Ando ◽  
Xian Wu Cheng ◽  
Koji Ishida ◽  
...  

Background: Physical exercise is suggested to be effective for preventing cognitive decline in older adults, but the relative efficacy of different types of exercise have yet to be clarified. Objective: This single-blinded randomized controlled trial was designed to investigate the differential effects of aerobic exercise training (AT), resistance exercise training (RT), and combined exercise training (CT) on cognition in older adults with subjective memory complaints (SMC). Methods: Community-dwelling older adults with SMC (n = 415; mean age = 72.3 years old) were randomly assigned to one of the four groups: AT, RT, CT, or control group. The study consisted of two phases: a 26-week intervention and a 26-week follow-up. The participants were evaluated at baseline, 26 weeks (postintervention), and 52 weeks (follow-up). The primary outcome of this study was memory function, which was assessed using the Logical Memory II subtest of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R) score. The secondary outcomes included global cognitive function, verbal fluency, working memory, processing speed, and executive functions. Results: Intention-to-treat analysis by a mixed-effect model repeated measure showed that the AT group had significantly improved performance on the WMS-R Logical Memory II test (2.74 [1.82–3.66] points) than the control group (1.36 [0.44–2.28] points) at the postintervention assessment (p = 0.037). The effect was more pronounced in those without amnesia than those with amnesia. No significant improvement was observed in the RT and CT groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that AT intervention can improve delayed memory in community-dwelling older adults, particularly in individuals without objective memory decline.


Trials ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hissei Imai ◽  
Toshiaki A Furukawa ◽  
Kiyohito Okumiya ◽  
Taizo Wada ◽  
Eriko Fukutomi ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Lambotte ◽  
Liesbeth De Donder ◽  
Ellen E. De Roeck ◽  
Lieve J. Hoeyberghs ◽  
Anne van der Vorst ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lean L. Kramer ◽  
Lex van Velsen ◽  
Jenna L. Clark ◽  
Bob C. Mulder ◽  
Emely de Vet

BACKGROUND Embodied conversational agents (ECAs) have been proposed as a promising interaction modality for the delivery of programs focused on promoting lifestyle changes. However, it is not understood which factors influence use of an ECA and their health effects. OBJECTIVE We aim to (1) identify whether ECAs can persuade community-dwelling older adults to change their dietary behavior and whether ECAs use can decrease loneliness, (2) test these pathways to effects, and (3) understand the use of an ECA. METHODS The web-based eHealth app PACO is a fully automated 8-week intervention in which 2 ECAs engage older adults in dialogue to motivate them to change their dietary behavior and decrease their loneliness. PACO was developed via a human-centered and stakeholder-inclusive design approach and incorporates Self-determination Theory and various behavior change techniques For this study, an unblinded web-based randomized controlled trial was conducted. Participants were recruited via social media, an online panel, flyers and advertorials. The intervention group received access to the PACO service for eight weeks. The waitlist group received PACO after waiting for four weeks. The primary outcomes, eating behavior and loneliness, were assessed via self-assesed online questionnaires at intake, waitlist, after 4 weeks, and after eight weeks. In addition, the primary outcome—use—was assessed via data logs. Secondary outcomes were measured at the same times, via questionnaires or an optional interview. RESULTS In total, 32 participants completed the intervention. We found a significant correlation between use in minutes on the one hand, and perceived usefulness (r = .39, P =.030) and enjoyment on the other (r = .38, P = .032). However, these did not predict use in the full regression model (F(2,29) = 1.98, P = .16, R2 = .12). Additionally, PACO use did not lead to improvements in eating behavior (χ2(2) = .34, = .85) or a decrease in loneliness (χ2(2) = .02, = .99). CONCLUSIONS Our study did not provide any concluding evidence about factors that are linked to the use or health effects of ECAs. Future service design could benefit from either creating a functional design catered towards the predominant stage of the targeted population, or by personalizing the service based on an intake in which the end-user’s stage is determined. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04510883; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04510883 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.2196/22186


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