Effect of physical exercise program on the balance and risk of falls of institutionalized elderly persons: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of an exercise program on the postural balance and risk of falls of institutionalized elderly persons. A randomized controlled trial was performed. The study was conducted in two long-stay philanthropic care facilities for the elderly in a city in the north of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Participants were divided into control (G1) and intervention groups (G2). G1 did not receive any type of intervention whereas G2 participated in an exercise program three times a week for twelve weeks. The groups were evaluated by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT). After the intervention, G2 achieved better scores in both BBS and in the TUGT, indicating a significant improvement in body balance and a reduction in the risk of falls compared to G1. The Spearman ordinal correlation revealed that there was a statistically significant association between BBS and TUGT (p<0.001). G1 did not present positive results compared to G2 both at baseline and in post intervention. It can be inferred that the proposed exercise program was effective in improving body balance and the performance of functional tasks, contributing to an improvement in the risk of falls as a result. REBEC: RBR-5XNYJS.

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Prevalence of falls and evaluation of mobility among institutionalized elderly persons

Revista Brasileira de Geriatria e Gerontologia ◽

10.1590/1981-22562016019.160034 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 19 (6) ◽

pp. 995-1003 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lidiane Maria de Brito Macedo Ferreira ◽

◽

Javier Jerez-Roig ◽

Fabienne Louise Juvêncio Paes de Andrade ◽

Nayara Priscila Dantas de Oliveira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

The Elderly ◽

Berg Balance Scale ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Elderly Persons ◽

Timed Up And Go ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Institutionalized Elderly ◽

Significance Level ◽

Chi Squared ◽

Low Prevalence

Abstract Objective: The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of falls among institutionalized elderly persons and identify associated factors. Method: A cross-sectional study of elderly residents of Care Facilities For the Elderly in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, was carried out. The elderly persons could walk independently and did not have severe cognitive impairment. Data was obtained about the institution and socio-demographic and health information was collected. A physical examination was performed to evaluate frailty, mobility and balance (Timed up and go, Berg Balance Scale, Gait speed and Sitting-rising Test - SRT). Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-squared Test for a 5% significance level. Results: Sixty-three elderly persons were within the search criteria. Of these 22.2% had fallen in the past year. Only the SRT was associated with these falls. Conclusion: It was concluded that the studied population has a low prevalence of falls, and the ability to perform less than 5 repetitions in the SRT was associated with episodes of falling.

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Effects of training with nintendo wii on balance and mobility in institutionalized elderly

Manual Therapy Posturology & Rehabilitation Journal ◽

10.17784/mtprehabjournal.2018.16.587 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Lara Alves Moreira ◽

Lívia Marcondes Faber ◽

Marcos Eduardo Scheicher

Keyword(s):

The Elderly ◽

Functional Mobility ◽

Static Balance ◽

Nintendo Wii ◽

Timed Up And Go ◽

Term Care ◽

Institutionalized Elderly ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Risk Of Falls ◽

Pre Treatment

Background: One of the consequences of the institutionalization of the elderly is the increased risk of falls. Games of video games have shown ability to improve balance in the elderly population, but there is no data on their use in institutionalized elderly. Objective: To evaluate the effects of training with Nintendo Wii on static balance and functional mobility in elderly living in Long-Term Care Facilities for Elderly. Methods: Participated in the research 10 institutionalized elderly, who underwent training with Nintendo Wii for eight weeks, twice a week. Functional mobility was assessed by the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and the static balance by a force platform. Results: Significant improvement in TUG was observed (17.65 ± 4.38s pre-treatment and 15.30 ± 3.70s p= 0.03). There was no significant improvement in the static equilibrium variables, but there was a tendency for improvement. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that the intervention with Nintendo Wii significantly improved the functional mobility, but with no improvement in the static balance in the institutionalized elderly.

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Effects of a health promotion and fall prevention program in elderly individuals participating in interaction groups

Fisioterapia em Movimento ◽

10.1590/0103-5150.027.001.ao11 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 101-109 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Lays Cavallero Pagliosa ◽

Alexandra Renosto

Keyword(s):

Health Promotion ◽

Elderly People ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

The Elderly ◽

Berg Balance Scale ◽

Functional Abilities ◽

Timed Up And Go ◽

Group Activities ◽

Risk Of Falls ◽

Falls In Elderly

Introduction Falls in elderly people are an increasing public health problem resulting in high costs to health services. Thus, it is essential to invest in the development of actions and programs focused on decreasing such risks. Objective To verify the effects of a program of health promotion and prevention of falls in relation to balance and functional abilities in elderly people participating in interaction groups in Caxias do Sul City, RS State. Materials and methods For this purpose, 14 elderly people were selected for assessment and reassessment through the following instruments: the Barthel Index, Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and a questionnaire to characterize the sample. Over the course of 2 months, group activities were conducted in a multi-sensory and proprioceptive circuit with a frequency of 2 times per week, totaling 14 meetings. Results The average age of participants was about 72 years old, mostly women (78.6%); 64.3% of them had experienced falls, and 92.9% had already practiced physical activities. After the intervention, there was an average increase of 9.14 points in the BBS (p = 0.000) and an average reduction of 4.4 seconds in gait speed on the TUG test (p = 0.000). Conclusion The application of the proposed program resulted in increasing balance and gait performance of the elderly, reducing the risk of falls.

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Development of mobile application to identify fall risk in the elderly

Revista Pesquisa em Fisioterapia ◽

10.17267/2238-2704rpf.v8i3.2047 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 354-360

Author(s):

Maria Consuelo D´Almeida Nuñez Filha ◽

Elen Beatriz Carneiro Pinto ◽

Handerson Jorge Dourado Leite

Keyword(s):

Software Development ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Test Performance ◽

The Elderly ◽

Berg Balance Scale ◽

Timed Up And Go ◽

Balance Test ◽

Mobility Assessment ◽

Risk Of Falls ◽

Dynamic Gait Index

INTRODUCTION: A fall can occur at any stage of one's life; however, it is more common in the elderly. The effects of falls are serious, in social and economic terms, in the country and worldwide. Today, the public health system extensively encourages scientific studies that help prevent these accidents effectively, reducing the demand for health services and its associated costs. OBJECTIVE: To develop an electronic mobile web tool (app) that helps health professionals to assess risk factors related to falls among elderly people, utilising validated instruments designed for this age group that are widely used in the literature and adapted to Brazilian Portuguese. METHOD: This is a project regarding the development of a prototype for use on the Android platform, programmed in JAVA. RESULTS: After analysing the criteria set out in the study, the selected tools for software development were the Dynamic Gait Index-DGI, the Berg Balance Scale, the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and the Tinetti Balance test (Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment-POMA). The tests conducted after the software development phase showed the predetermined requirements were met 100%. CONCLUSION: The app that was developed during the process proved to be versatile, fast, includes the main instruments that are validated in the Brazilian literature, identifies the risk of falls in the elderly, is easy to use, which all are positive incentives for health professionals to use the device.

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Correlations between low back pain and functional capacity among the elderly

Revista Brasileira de Geriatria e Gerontologia ◽

10.1590/1981-22562016019.150227 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 19 (6) ◽

pp. 987-994 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Elias Nasrala Neto ◽

◽

Walkiria Shimoya Bittencourt ◽

Mara Lilian Soares Nasrala ◽

Andre Luiz Lopes de Oliveira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Functional Capacity ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

The Elderly ◽

Elderly Persons ◽

Low Back ◽

Timed Up And Go ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Institutionalized Elderly

Abstract Objective: To investigate the association between low back pain and functional capacity among non-institutionalized elderly persons. Method: A cross-sectional observational study of non-institutionalized elderly persons was performed. The Timed Up and Go (TUG) and Sitting-Rising Test (SRT) functional tests were used, together with the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). Result: A total of 99 elderly persons of both genders were included. Kendall’s Correlation analysis showed a significant correlation between the RMDQ and the SRT scores for the act of sitting (p=0.001) and the act of lifting (p=0.028). Despite the statistical significance, these two variables were weakly correlated (r=-239;r=-163). The results also identified a statistically significant correlation between the TUG and SRT tests for the act of sitting (r=-222; p=0.003) and the act of lifting (r=-206; p=0.006). Conclusion: It was observed that most of the non-institutionalized elderly persons had good functional capacity. It is also possible to affirm that there is an association between low back pain and functional capacity.

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Effectiveness of balance training programme in reducing the frequency of falling in established osteoporotic women: a randomized controlled trial

Clinical Rehabilitation ◽

10.1177/0269215516628616 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 31 (2) ◽

pp. 217-224 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Ibolya Mikó ◽

Imre Szerb ◽

Anna Szerb ◽

Gyula Poor

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Balance Training ◽

Training Programme ◽

Exercise Programme ◽

Berg Balance Scale ◽

Control Group ◽

Timed Up And Go ◽

Randomized Controlled

Objective: To investigate the effect of a 12-month sensomotor balance exercise programme on postural control and the frequency of falling in women with established osteoporosis. Design: Randomized controlled trial where the intervention group was assigned the 12-month Balance Training Programme and the control group did not undertake any intervention beyond regular osteoporosis treatment. Subjects: A total of 100 osteoporotic women – at least with one osteoporotic fracture – aged 65 years old and above. Main measures: Balance was assessed in static and dynamic posture both with performance-based measures of balance, such as the Berg Balance Scale and the Timed Up and Go Test, and with a stabilometric computerized platform. Interventions: Patients in the intervention group completed the 12-month sensomotor Balance Training Programme in an outpatient setting, guided by physical therapists, three times a week, for 30 minutes. Results: The Berg Balance Scale and the Timed Up and Go Test showed a statistically significant improvement of balance in the intervention group ( p = 0.001 and p = 0.005, respectively). Balance tests using the stabilometer also showed a statistically significant improvement in static and dynamic postural balance for osteoporotic women after the completion of the Balance Training Programme. As a consequence, the one-year exercise programme significantly decreased the number of falls in the exercise group compared with the control group. Conclusion: The Balance Training Programme significantly improved the balance parameters and reduced the number of falls in postmenopausal women who have already had at least one fracture in the past.

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Effect of Cognitive Function on Balance and Posture Control after Stroke

Neural Plasticity ◽

10.1155/2021/6636999 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Hui-xian Yu ◽

Zhao-xia Wang ◽

Chang-bin Liu ◽

Pei Dai ◽

Yue Lan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Berg Balance Scale ◽

Posture Control ◽

Control Group ◽

Cognitive Resources ◽

Balance Function ◽

Timed Up And Go ◽

Risk Of Falls ◽

Group 16 ◽

Hemiplegic Gait

Hemiplegic gait is the most common sequela of stroke. Patients with hemiplegic gait are at a risk of falling because of poor balance. The theory of cognitive-motor networks paved the way for a new field of research. However, the mechanism of the relationship of cognition with gait or posture control networks is unclear because of the dynamic characteristics of walking and changing postures. To explore differences in the balance function and fall risk between patients with and without cognitive impairment after stroke, we utilized the Berg balance scale, Timed “Up and Go” test, and 10 m walking test. Patients were divided into two groups: the observation group (16 patients, female 6 and male 10), comprising patients with cognitive impairment after stroke, and the control group (16 patients, female 7 and male 9), comprising patients without cognitive impairment after stroke. We found that patients with cognitive impairment had worse balance function and a higher risk of falls. They needed a longer time to turn around or sit down. Our findings indicated that posture control in turning around and sitting down required more cognitive resources in daily life.

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The link between cognitive state and general self-esteem among institutionalized elderly persons: can health condition serve as a mediating factor?

Revista Brasileira de Geriatria e Gerontologia ◽

10.1590/1981-22562018021.170191 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 456-463

Author(s):

Cristina Imaginário ◽

Magda Rocha ◽

Paulo Puga Machado ◽

Cristina Antunes ◽

Teresa Martins

Keyword(s):

Elderly Person ◽

The Elderly ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Health Condition ◽

Cognitive State ◽

Elderly Persons ◽

Cognitive Changes ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Institutionalized Elderly ◽

Mediating Factor

Abstract Objective: to assess whether the health condition of an elderly person can serve as a mediating factor between the cognitive state and general self-esteem of the institutionalized elderly. Method: a quantitative, cross-sectional correlational study was performed, based on the path analysis technique.The following instruments were used for data collection: the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment, the Mini Nutritional Evaluation and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Results: the sample was composed of 312 elderly patients of both genders (112 men and 200 women), with an average age of 83.39 (+7.09) years. Most of the elderly persons were widowed, with a low educational level, and had been institutionalized in Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly for on average 54.6 (+51.69) months. The mediating factor of health condition renders the link between the cognitive state and self-esteem of the elderly null. However, the analysis of the decomposition of the effects showed a significant indirect effect between the cognitive state and health condition. The total effect of cognitive state on the health condition of the elderly is significant, positive and direct. Conclusion: based on the results of this study we maintain that cognitive changes can affect the nutritional state and physical balance of the institutionalized elderly.

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Does the Management of Visual and Audible Motion Information during an Immersive Virtual Reality Timed Up and Go Test Impact Locomotor Performance in the Elderly?

Gerontology ◽

10.1159/000517286 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Frédéric Muhla ◽

Karine Duclos ◽

Fabien Clanché ◽

Philippe Meyer ◽

Séverine Maïaux ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Virtual Reality ◽

Motor Control ◽

Optical Flow ◽

Fear Of Falling ◽

The Elderly ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

Immersive Virtual Reality ◽

Timed Up And Go ◽

Friedman's Test ◽

Risk Of Falls

Background/Aims: Falling among the elderly is a major public health issue, especially with the advancing age of the baby boomers. The fall risk assessment tests for many lack a context that would bring them closer to everyday life. Thus, immersive virtual reality, which makes it possible to simulate everyday situations, could make it possible to strengthen the quality of the assessment of the risk of falls. However, it is necessary to understand how the use of a virtual reality device influences the motor control of elderly participants. If vestibular physiotherapists use VR to virtualize their tools, what impact would a visual simulation of movement have on motor control in a locomotor task, if this simulation were plausible? Methods: Sixty-two elders (70.8 ± 6.7 years old) completed a Timed Up and Go task under 3 conditions: real, virtual reality, and virtual reality with visual and sound movement information. The virtual reality task takes place in a train either stationary at a station or in uniform linear motion. The time and number of steps were recorded using video, and comparisons between conditions were made using Friedman’s test. Results: The results show a significant increase in the time and number of steps in “virtual reality” condition compared to the “real” condition. They do not show significant differences between the 2 virtual conditions. Conclusion: The use of a running virtual train to provide plausible movement is particularly distinguished from vestibular physiotherapy applications with first a fixed visual support partially obscuring the optical flow. This visual aid coupled with the attention dedicated to the task inhibits the effect of the moving environment on locomotion. However, the visual optical flow will potentially have an effect in people with fear of falling. Virtual reality shows great potential for the simulation of realistic environments for the assessment of the risk of falls and opens up avenues for the development of tests.

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Effectiveness of acupuncture vs. core stability training in balance and functional capacity of women with fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial

Clinical Rehabilitation ◽

10.1177/0269215520911992 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 34 (5) ◽

pp. 630-645 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Elisa María Garrido-Ardila ◽

María Victoria González-López-Arza ◽

Maria Jiménez-Palomares ◽

Agustín García-Nogales ◽

Juan Rodríguez-Mansilla

Keyword(s):

Functional Capacity ◽

Dynamic Balance ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Berg Balance Scale ◽

Core Stability ◽

Control Group ◽

Timed Up And Go ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Physiotherapy Programme ◽

And Control

Objective: This study investigated the effectiveness of a core stability training physiotherapy programme vs. acupuncture for the management of balance and functional capacity impairments of women with Fibromyalgia. Design: Single-blind randomized controlled trial. Setting: Outpatients setting. Subjects: Women with Fibromyalgia and balance impairment. Interventions: Participants were randomized to a core stability physiotherapy programme group ( n = 45), acupuncture treatment group ( n = 45) and control group ( n = 45) for 13 weeks. Main Measures: Measures were taken at baseline (week 0), postintervention (week 6) and follow-up (week 13). The primary outcome measures were static balance (posturography) and dynamic balance and functional mobility (Berg Balance Scale, timed up and go test and 10-m walk). The secondary outcome measure was functional capacity (Fibromyalgia Health Assessment Questionnaire and the physical function item from the Spanish Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire). Results: In all, 103 participants completed the study. The results showed statistically significant improvements in the acupuncture and physiotherapy groups vs. the control group at week 6 regarding Berg Balance Scale ( P = 0.00, both groups), timed up and go test ( P = 0.00 and P = 0.01, respectively) and 10-m walk test at comfortable speed ( P = 0.02 and P = 0.03, respectively). The 10-m walk test at maximum speed showed significance when comparing the physiotherapy and control group ( P = 0.03). However, no significant differences were found between the physiotherapy and the acupuncture groups. In relation to functional capacity, the improvements achieved after the treatments were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Core stability-based physiotherapy and acupuncture improve dynamic balance and postural control in women with Fibromyalgia.

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