The Effectiveness of a Simple Approach to the Assessment of the Risk of Falls in the Elderly-Probe Reaction Time and the Dispersion of the Time for a Single Step during Marking Time-

Background:Hyperkyphosis increases the risk of falls for elderly people by reducing postural balance. Spinomed orthosis and the posture-training support are two available options for improving postural balance but have never been compared.Objectives:To compare the effect of the Spinomed orthosis and the posture-training support on balance in elderly people with thoracic hyperkyphosis.Study Design:This study is a clinical trial on an accessible sample of elderly people with thoracic kyphosis.Method:Eighteen participants (16 women and 2 men), aged 60–80 years, with thoracic kyphosis greater than 50°, completed the study procedure. Subjects were randomly allocated to two groups, namely, Spinomed orthosis and the posture-training support groups. Sensory organization test and limits of stability were assessed using the EquiTest system and the Balance Master system, respectively. Balance score, directional control, and reaction time were measured to evaluate balance with and without orthosis in a random order.Results:In the posture-training support group, significant changes were observed in the studied balance parameters: balance score ( p < 0.001), directional control ( p = 0.027), and reaction time ( p = 0.047). There was a significant change in balance score ( p < 0.001) and directional control ( p = 0.032) in the Spinomed group. However, there were no significant differences in the effect of the two orthoses, the Spinomed orthosis and posture-training support, on balance factors.Conclusion:Both Spinomed orthosis and posture-training support may improve balance in the elderly with thoracic hyperkyphosis in a similar manner.Clinical relevanceDespite the importance of falls suffered by elderly people, not much attention has been paid to balance improvement and fall prevention while managing hyperkyphosis. This study evaluates the effect of the Spinomed orthosis and posture-training support on balance in hyperkyphotic elderly people. It provides some new insights into reducing the risk of falls for elderly people.

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Multisensory balance training for unsteady elderly people: A scoping review

Technology and Disability ◽

10.3233/tad-200310 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

In-Gyu Yoo ◽

Ji-Hye Do

Keyword(s):

User Satisfaction ◽

Web Of Science ◽

Relevant Literature ◽

Balance Training ◽

The Elderly ◽

Control Group ◽

Training Methods ◽

Multisensory Stimulation ◽

Multisensory Training ◽

Risk Of Falls

BACKGROUND: Posture control involves complex reactions of dynamic and static movements, and various sensory inputs. There is evidence that exercise using multisensory stimulation is moderately effective in improving the balance of the elderly. OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of this paper was to examine the existing literature to validate the effectiveness and applicability of multisensory stimulation training. METHODS: All relevant literature published as of June 1, 2020 in four prominent databases was searched (Embase, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of science) using the five-stage review framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley. RESULTS: Multisensory stimulation training was more effective when vestibular and somatosensory were combined with visual stimuli, and differences in effectiveness compared to the effectiveness of existing treatments were confirmed. However, most of the reviewed papers are compared to simple strength training, and studies that compare the effects of multisensory stimulation training by setting a control group are still lacking. CONCLUSION: Further research is required to further elucidate the training conditions and treatment environment for multisensory training for the elderly at risk of falls and to provide strategies to improve treatment methods. In addition, a study that can evaluate user satisfaction in a way that best shows the treatment effect using qualitative research methods will be needed.

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VIDEO GAMES AND THE ELDERLY

Social Behavior and Personality An International Journal ◽

10.2224/sbp.1997.25.4.345 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 25 (4) ◽

pp. 345-352 ◽

Cited By ~ 101

Author(s):

Jeffrey Goldstein ◽

Lara Cajko ◽

Mark Oosterbroek ◽

Moniek Michielsen ◽

Oscar Van Houten ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reaction Time ◽

Video Games ◽

Color Word ◽

Reaction Time Task ◽

Well Being ◽

The Elderly ◽

Self Report ◽

Control Group ◽

Word Test ◽

Stroop Color Word Test

This study examined the effects of playing video games (Super Tetris) on the reaction time, cognitive/perceptual adaptability, and emotional well-being of 22 noninstitutionalized elderly people aged 69 to 90. Volunteers in an elderly community in the Netherlands were randomly assigned to a videogameplaying experimental group or a nonplaying control group. The televisions of the 10 videogame players were provided with Nintendo SuperNes systems. Participants played Super Tetris 5 hours a week for 5 weeks, and maintained a log of their play. Before and after this play period, measures of reaction time (Sternberg Test; Steinberg, 1969), cognitive/perceptual adaptability (Stroop Color Word Test; Stroop, 1935), and emotional well-being (self-report questionnaire) were administered. Playing video games was related to a significant improvement in the Sternberg reaction time task, and to a relative increase in selfreported well-being. On the Stroop Color Word Test, both the experimental and control groups improved significantly, but the difference between groups was not statistically significant. The videogame-playing group had faster reaction times and felt a more positive sense of well-being compared to their nonplaying counterparts. Consistent with previous research on video games and the elderly, the present study finds the strongest effects on measures of reaction time, and the weakest effects on cognitive performance measures. Explanations and alternative interpretations of these findings are discussed.

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An Approach to the Assessment of Risk of Falls in the Elderly

Rigakuryoho Kagaku ◽

10.1589/rika.22.359 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 359-364 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ming HUO ◽

Dongmei CHANG ◽

Hitoshi MARUYAMA

Keyword(s):

The Elderly ◽

Risk Of Falls

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HYPERTENSION IN ELDERLY:OUR CURRENT TRENDS

10.36106/ijsr/5704603 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 56-57

Author(s):

Rohit Arora ◽

D.K Sharma

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Elderly Patients ◽

The Elderly ◽

Common Disease ◽

Old Patients ◽

Current Trends ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Individualized Approach ◽

Risk Of Falls ◽

Optimal Target

Hypertension is a common disease in the elderly associated with signicant morbidity and mortality. Due to the complexity of this population, the optimal target of blood pressure (BP) control is still controversial. In this article, we conduct a literature review of trials published in English in the last 10 years which were specically designed to study the efcacy and safety of various BP targets in patients who are 70 years or older. Using these criteria, we found that the benets in the positive studies were demonstrated even with a minimal BPcontrol (systolic BP[SBP] <150 mmHg) and continued to be reported for a SBP<120 mmHg. On the other hand, keeping SBP<140 mmHg seemed to be safely achieved in elderly patients. Although the safety of lowering SBP to <120 mmHg is debated, Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial study has shown no increased risk of falls, fractures, or kidney failure in elderly patients with SBP lower than this threshold. While the recent guidelines recommended to keep BP <130/80 mmHg in the elderly, more individualized approach should be considered to achieve this goal in order to avoid undesirable complications. Furthermore, further studies are required to evaluate BPtarget in very old patients or those with multiple comorbidities.

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“ANTIAGING” EFFECTS OF EXERCISE ON BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS: A BRIEF NARRATIVE REVIEW

Centro de Pesquisas Avançadas em Qualidade de Vida ◽

10.36692/v13n2-03r ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

JÚLIO BENVENUTTI BUENO DE CAMARGO ◽

RAFAEL SAKAI ZARONI ◽

TIAGO VOLPI BRAZ ◽

MOISÉS DIEGO GERMANO ◽

JHENIPHER MONIKY ROSOLEM ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Elderly Population ◽

The Elderly ◽

Biological Tissues ◽

Progressive Decline ◽

Morphological Aspects ◽

Functional Aspects ◽

Risk Of Falls ◽

Influence Functional ◽

Rate Of Decline ◽

Musculoskeletal Systems

Aging is characterized by a progressive decline in function and morphological aspects of biological tissues, with especial regards to cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems. In this sense, exercise has been shown to strongly counteract these aging-induced detrimental effects. Endurance exercise (EE) has been shown to reduce the rate of decline of factors related to cardiorespiratory fitness. In addition, the adoption of resistance training (RT) may also induce relevant adaptations, especially related to increased muscle strength and power levels, that have shown to positively influence functional aspects as improved balance and reduced risk of falls in the elderly population. Then, the aim of the present study is to briefly review the exercise literature regarding its mechanisms that could potentially present “antiaging” effects.

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