Improving Balance in Older People: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial of Three Modes of Balance Training

The aim of this study was to examine and compare the effects of conventional, multisensory, and dual-task exercises on balance ability in a group of older community dwellers over a four-week period. Forty-four older people were randomly assigned to one of the three training groups. The score on the Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB) scale, gait stability ratio, and walking speed were evaluated at baseline and after four weeks of training. All three groups showed significant (p < .001) improvement in the FAB scores following the three training programs (on average, 3 points for the conventional and multisensory groups and 3.8 points for the dual-task group). The improvements were comparable across the three intervention groups (p = .23). There were no statistically significant differences, neither within nor between groups, in the gait stability ratio and walking speed across the three training groups. In a four-week period, all the training modes were effective in improving balance of older adults, with no significant superiority of one mode of training over another.

Download Full-text

Effects of Dual-Task Balance Training on the Balance Ability in Elderly Women

Institute of Brain-based Education Korea National University of Education ◽

10.31216/bdl.20210008 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Keyword(s):

Dual Task ◽

Elderly Women ◽

Balance Training ◽

Balance Ability

Download Full-text

Comparing the Effects of Single-Task versus Dual-Task Balance Training on Gait Smoothness and Functional Balance in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.2020-0523 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Samira Javadpour ◽

Ehsan Sinaei ◽

Reza Salehi ◽

Shahla Zahednejad ◽

Alireza Motealleh

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Dual Task ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Balance Training ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Control Group ◽

Timed Up And Go ◽

Training Groups ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

To compare the effects of single- versus dual-task balance training on the gait smoothness and balance of community-dwelling older adults, 69 volunteers were randomized to single-, dual-task training, and control (no intervention) groups. Exercises were received in 18 sessions through 6 weeks. The gait smoothness was measured by the harmonic ratio of trunk accelerations using a triaxial accelerometer. Balance performance was assessed through the Fullerton Advanced Balance scale, Timed Up and Go test, Activities-specific Balance Confidence, and gait speed. After the trial, all variables improved significantly in the training groups. Moreover, differences in the mean change of all variables, except the Timed Up and Go test, were statistically significant between the interventional groups and the control group, but no significant difference was reported between the two training groups. This study suggests that balance training can improve gait smoothness as well as balance status in healthy older adults.

Download Full-text

Feasibility of Strength-Balance Training Extended with Computer Game Dancing in Older People; Does it Affect Dual Task Costs of Walking?

Journal of Novel Physiotherapies ◽

10.4172/2165-7025.1000104 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 01 (01) ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Eling D . de Bruin ◽

Annina Reith ◽

Manuela Dorflinger

Keyword(s):

Older People ◽

Dual Task ◽

Balance Training ◽

Computer Game

Download Full-text

Effects of dual-task balance training on postural performance in patients with Multiple Sclerosis: a double-blind, randomized controlled pilot trial

Clinical Rehabilitation ◽

10.1177/0269215516639735 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 31 (2) ◽

pp. 234-241 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Saeideh Monjezi ◽

Hossein Negahban ◽

Shirin Tajali ◽

Nava Yadollahpour ◽

Nastaran Majdinasab

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Dual Task ◽

Pilot Trial ◽

Balance Training ◽

Berg Balance Scale ◽

Timed Up And Go ◽

Double Blind ◽

Single Task ◽

Task Training ◽

Functional Gait

Objective: To investigate the effects of dual-task balance training on postural performance in patients with multiple sclerosis as compared with single-task balance training. Design: Double-blind, pretest-posttest, randomized controlled pilot trial. Setting: Local Multiple Sclerosis Society. Subjects: A total of 47 patients were randomly assigned to two equal groups labeled as single-task training and dual-task training groups. Interventions: All patients received supervised balance training sessions, 3 times per week for 4 weeks. The patients in the single-task group performed balance activities, alone. However, patients in dual-task group practiced balance activities while simultaneously performing cognitive tasks. Main measures: The 10-Meter Walk Test and Timed Up-and-Go under single-task and dual-task conditions, in addition to Activities-specific Balance Confidence, Berg Balance Scale, and Functional Gait Assessment were assessed pre-, and post intervention and also 6-weeks after the end of intervention. Results: Only 38 patients completed the treatment plan. There was no difference in the amount of improvement seen between the two study groups. In both groups there was a significant effect of time for dual-10 Meter Walk Test (F1, 36=11.33, p=0.002) and dual-Timed Up-and-Go (F1, 36=14.27, p=0.001) but not for their single-tasks. Moreover, there was a significant effect of time for Activities-specific Balance Confidence, Berg Balance Scale, and Functional Gait Assessment ( P<0.01). Conclusions: This pilot study did not show more benefits from undertaking dual-task training than single-task training. A power analysis showed 71 patients per group would be needed to determine whether there was a clinically relevant difference for dual-task gait speed between the groups.

Download Full-text

Concern About Falling Is Associated With Gait Speed, Independently From Physical and Cognitive Function

Physical Therapy ◽

10.1093/ptj/pzz032 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 99 (8) ◽

pp. 989-997 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Kimberley S van Schooten ◽

Ellen Freiberger ◽

Myriam Sillevis Smitt ◽

Veronika Keppner ◽

Cornel Sieber ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Function ◽

Older People ◽

Dual Task ◽

Gait Speed ◽

Fall Risk ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Digit Symbol Substitution Test ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Increased Risk

AbstractBackgroundHigher levels of concern about falling in older people have been associated with slower walking speed and an increased risk of falls. However, it is unclear whether this relationship is independent or confounded by other fall risk factors, such as physical and cognitive function.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine the effects of concern about falling on gait speed, adjusted for physiological fall risk and cognitive function.DesignThis was an observational, cross-sectional study.MethodsA total of 204 community-dwelling older people aged 70 years or older were recruited from 2 sites (Germany, n = 94; Australia, n = 110). Walking speed was measured over 6 m under 4 conditions: preferred speed, fast speed, speed while carrying a tray (functional dual task), and speed while answering a question (cognitive dual task). The Falls Efficacy Scale–International was used to assess concern about falling, the Physiological Profile Assessment was used to assess physiological fall risk, and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test and Trail Making Test were used to assess attention and executive function.ResultsHigher levels of concern about falling were associated with slower gait speed. Following adjustment for age, history of falls, and female sex, and further adjustment for physical and cognitive function, the association between concern about falling and walking speed remained significant, with a considerable effect size (standardized β = 0.18 ± 0.08; P = .037).LimitationsThe use of walking speed as a sole measure of gait was a limitation of this study.ConclusionsGait speed, especially under dual-task conditions, was affected by concern about falling. Concern about falling was the strongest predictor of gait speed under all 4 conditions and should be included in routine geriatric assessments.

Download Full-text

Effect of Multivitamin and Multimineral Supplements on Morbidity From Infections in Older People (MAVIS trial): Pragmatic, Randomised, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial

Yearbook of Medicine ◽

10.1016/s0084-3873(08)70392-4 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 2006 ◽

pp. 123-124

Author(s):

D.R. Snydman

Keyword(s):

Older People ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Double Blind ◽

Double Blind Placebo

Download Full-text

Short-Term Effects of Balance Training with Stroboscopic Vision for Patients with Chronic Ankle Instability: A Single-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18105364 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (10) ◽

pp. 5364

Author(s):

Kyung-Min Kim ◽

María D. Estudillo-Martínez ◽

Yolanda Castellote-Caballero ◽

Alejandro Estepa-Gallego ◽

David Cruz-Díaz

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Outcome Measures ◽

Ankle Instability ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Balance Training ◽

Chronic Ankle Instability ◽

Balance Test ◽

Training Groups ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Star Excursion Balance Test

Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI) is one of the most common musculoskeletal dysfunctions. Stroboscopic vision (SV) training has been deemed to enhance somatosensorial pathways in this population group; nevertheless, until recently no studies have addressed the additional effects of this treatment option to the traditional therapeutic approach. Methods: To evaluate the effectiveness of a partial visual deprivation training protocol in patients with CAI, a randomized controlled trial was carried out. Patients with CAI (n = 73) were randomized into either a balance training, SV training, or a control (no training) group. For participants assigned into training groups, they received 18 training sessions over 6 weeks. The primary outcome was dynamic balance as measured by the Star Excursion Balance Test assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention. Secondary outcome measures included ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, self-reported instability feeling, and ankle functional status. Results: Better scores in stroboscopic training and balance training groups in all outcome measures were observed in comparison with the control group with moderate to large effect sizes. Stroboscopic training was more effective than neuromuscular training in self-reported instability feeling (cohen’s d = 0.71; p = 0.042) and anterior reach distance of the star excursion balance test (cohen’s d = 1.23; p = 0.001). Conclusions: Preliminary findings from the effects of SV Stroboscopic training in patients with CAI, suggest that SV may be beneficial in CAI rehabilitation.

Download Full-text