Managing Fall Prevention through Exercise in Older Adults Afflicted by Cognitive and Strength Impairment

Introduction: A growing trend in medicine is older adults and increased need for geriatric services. Falls contribute heavily to hospitalizations and worsening of overall health in this frail demographic. There are numerous biological and physical culprits which, if targeted, can prevent falls. The objective was to review benefits of different types of exercises for fall prevention for older persons who are community-dwelling or living in long-term care facilities. Methods: A systematic review was conducted to determine the different types of exercises for fall prevention. Data extraction via a standardized protocol was performed to assess study design, outcomes, limitations, and author’s conclusions. Corroborative themes were identified and the authors responsible for the contributing research were cited as they came up. Nineteen randomized controlled trials were identified, between 1990 and 2018, using MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases. Studies involving adults greater than age 60 in high-risk community or nursing home populations in the English language with a duration longer than or equal to 6 weeks with focuses on either low-risk balance, strength, or combination of both and whole-body vibration. Results: Balance exercise training increased balance at 6 and 12-month intervals involving balance, strength, and cognitive training. Discussion: Insignificant results were seen in whole-body vibration and differing results existed for Tai Chi. It is important to recognize that although exercises help reduce the risk of falling and play a significant role in improving mobility safely, there will always be a risk of falls.

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Efficacy of a Whole-Body Vibration Intervention on Functional Performance of Community-Dwelling Older Adults

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine ◽

10.1089/acm.2009.0366 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 16 (7) ◽

pp. 795-797 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Trentham P. Furness ◽

Wayne E. Maschette ◽

Christian Lorenzen ◽

Geraldine A. Naughton ◽

Morgan D. Williams

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Functional Performance ◽

Whole Body Vibration ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Whole Body ◽

Body Vibration ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

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Effects of static acceleration training with a whole-body vibration machine in community-dwelling older adults

Japanese Journal of Physical Fitness and Sports Medicine ◽

10.7600/jspfsm.61.211 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 61 (2) ◽

pp. 211-219

Author(s):

Taishi Tsuji ◽

Ji-Yeong Yoon ◽

Yasuhiro Mitsuishi ◽

Noriko Someya ◽

Takako Kozawa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Whole Body Vibration ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Whole Body ◽

Vibration Machine ◽

Body Vibration ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

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The Effect of Whole-Body Vibration Training on Biomarkers and Health Beliefs of Prefrail Older Adults

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11083557 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 3557

Author(s):

Wen Chu ◽

Hui-Chun Yang ◽

Shu-Fang Chang

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Health Beliefs ◽

Whole Body Vibration ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Whole Body ◽

Control Group ◽

Body Vibration ◽

Vibration Training ◽

Whole Body Vibration Training ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Frailty poses a considerable risk to the performance of daily living activities, affecting the quality of life of older adults and increasing their risks of falling, disability, hospitalization, and mortality. Frailty is related to pathology with a state of negative energy balance, sarcopenia, diminished muscle strength, and low tolerance for exertion. Few intervention studies have been conducted on prefrail community-dwelling older adults. This study investigated the effects of whole-body vibration training on the biomarkers and health beliefs of prefrail community-dwelling older adults. We conducted a quasi-experimental research. Ninety participants were allocated to either an experimental or control group. This study followed the Transparent Reporting of Evaluations with Nonrandomized Designs (TREND) guidelines for quasi-experimental research design. The experimental group participated in a 12-week whole-body vibration training conducted three times per week, with 5-min continuous vibration at 12-Hz frequency and 3-mm amplitude each time. DVDs on resistance training and manuals were provided to the control group. The data were analysed through descriptive analysis, a chi-square test, an independent t test, a paired t test, and analysis of covariance. There were 42 people in the experimental group and 48 people in the control group. After the 12-week training and intervention, ANCOVA is used to analyze the experimental and control group’s results. Experimental results in 30s chair stand test (F = 98.85, p < 0.05), open-eye stand on dominant foot test (F = 26.15, p < 0.05), two–minute-step test (F = 25.89, p < 0.05), left-leg bone mineral density (F = 14.71, p < 0.05), barriers of perceived frailty (F = 39.81, p < 0.05) and cues to action (F = 92.96, p < 0.05) in health beliefs are statistically significant compared to the control group’s results. The 12-week whole-body vibration program employed in this study partly improved the biomarkers and health beliefs of prefrail community-dwelling older adults. We recommend whole-body vibration training as an exercise strategy, thereby improving community-dwelling older adults’ biomarkers and health beliefs.

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Controlled whole-body vibration training reduces risk of falls among community-dwelling older adults

Journal of Biomechanics ◽

10.1016/j.jbiomech.2015.06.029 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 48 (12) ◽

pp. 3206-3212 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Feng Yang ◽

George A. King ◽

Loretta Dillon ◽

Xiaogang Su

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Whole Body Vibration ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Whole Body ◽

Body Vibration ◽

Risk Of Falls ◽

Vibration Training ◽

Whole Body Vibration Training ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

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Systematically Controlling for the Influence of Age, Sex, Hertz and Time Post-Whole-Body Vibration Exposure on Four Measures of Physical Performance in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Randomized Cross-Over Study

Current Gerontology and Geriatrics Research ◽

10.1155/2011/747094 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Harold L. Merriman ◽

C. Jayne Brahler ◽

Kurt Jackson

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Whole Body Vibration ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Whole Body ◽

Age And Gender ◽

Body Vibration ◽

Counter Movement Jump ◽

And Gender ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽

Male Subjects

Though popular, there is little agreement on what whole-body vibration (WBV) parameters will optimize performance. This study aimed to clarify the effects of age, sex, hertz and time on four physical function indicators in community-dwelling older adults (). Participants were exposed to 2 min WBV per session at either 2 Hz or 26 Hz and outcome measures were recorded at 2, 20 and 40 min post-WBV. Timed get up-and-go and chair sit-and-reach performances improved post-WBV for both sexes, were significantly different between 2 Hz and 26 Hz treatments () and showed statistically significant interactions between age and gender (). Counter movement jump and timed one-legged stance performances showed a similar but non-significant response to 2 Hz and 26 Hz treatments, though male subjects showed a distinct trended response. Age and gender should be statistically controlled and both 2 Hz and 26 Hz exert a treatment effect.

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