scholarly journals Efficacy of an Integrated Training Device in Improving Muscle Strength, Balance, and Cognitive Ability in Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 314-324
Author(s):  
Choong-Hee Roh ◽  
Da-Sol Kim ◽  
Gi-Wook Kim ◽  
Yu-Hui Won ◽  
Sung-Hee Park ◽  
...  

Objective To determine the effects of an integrated training device for strength and balance on extremity muscle strength, postural balance, and cognition in older adults using a combination with various rehabilitation training games, in which balance, strength, and cognitive training were configured in a single device.Methods This prospective study included 20 healthy participants aged 65–85 years. Participants trained for 30 minutes daily, 3 days weekly, for 6 weeks with an integrated training device for strength and balance (SBT-120; Man&Tel Inc., Gumi, Korea). Main outcomes were measured using the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE), Korean version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (K-MoCA), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Functional Reach Test (FRT), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Manual Muscle Test. Measurements were taken at three time points: T0 (pretreatment), T1 (immediately after treatment), and T2 (4 weeks after treatment).Results All 20 patients completed the training, and TUG, FRT, and BBS scores significantly improved at T1 and T2 compared to T0. Mean TUG scores decreased by 0.99±2.00 at T1 and 1.05±1.55 at T2 compared to T0. Mean FRT scores increased by 6.13±4.26 at T1 and 6.75±4.79 at T2 compared to T0. BBS scores increased by 0.60±0.94 at T1 and 0.45±1.15 at T2 compared to T0. Moreover, muscle strength and cognition (K-MMSE and K-MoCA scores) increased after training.Conclusion Our findings suggest that an integrated training device for strength and balance can be a safe and useful tool for older adults.

2021 ◽  
pp. bmjstel-2021-000867
Author(s):  
Carole Anne Watkins ◽  
Ellie Higham ◽  
Michael Gilfoyle ◽  
Charley Townley ◽  
Sue Hunter

BackgroundAge simulation can have a positive effect on empathic understanding and perception of ageing. However, there is limited evidence for its ability to replicate objectively the physical and functional challenges of ageing.ObjectiveTo observe whether age suit simulation can replicate in healthy young adults the physical and physiological balance disturbance and falls risk experienced by older adults.MethodologyHealthy young adults aged 20–40 years (16 male) were recruited to the study using convenience sampling from a student population. Participants performed three validated balance tests—Functional Reach Test (FRT), Timed Up and Go (TUG) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS)—first without the age suit and then with the age suit, using a standardised protocol, following the same sequence.Results30 participants completed all tests. Statistically significant differences between without-age-suit and with-age-suit performance were recorded for FRT distance (p<0.000005), time taken to complete the TUG (p<0.0005) and BBS score (p<0.001). A comparison of participant scores with normative FRT and TUG scores identified that the suit had ‘aged’ the majority of participants to the normative values for older adults (60+), with some reaching the values for individuals aged 70–89. However, no scores achieved the values indicative of increased falls risk.ConclusionsThe age suit is a valid educational tool that extends the value of age simulation beyond a more general empathising role, enabling those working with an older population to experience and understand the functional challenges to balance experienced by older adults as part of their training.


Author(s):  
Humaira Iram ◽  
Muhammad Kashif ◽  
Hafiz Muhammad Junaid Hassan ◽  
Salma Bunyad ◽  
Samra Asghar

Abstract Objective: To determine the effects of proprioception training in improving balance in patients with diabetic neuropathy. Methods: A quasi-experimental design study was conducted at the Safi Hospital Faisalabad for eight weeks from August to December 2019. Out of, 38, 19 patients were placed in exercise group (10 males, 9 females; mean age 64 ± 7.7 years; range 60 to 83 years) and 19 patients were placed in controls group (12 males, 7 females; mean age 63 ± 8.2 years) were included in this study through consecutive sampling technique. Proprioception Training was given to exercise group twice a week for eight weeks and the diabetes awareness campaign was given once a week to the control group. Static and dynamic balance were assessed by using One Leg Standing (OLS) Test with eyes open and closed, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Functional Reach Test (FRT), Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) and 10-M Walk Test (10-MWT). The data was collected before and after treatment and was compared using independent sample t-test. Results: The finding of the study showed that OLS score with eyes open improved significantly with p<0.05 and does not show improvement with eyes closed p =.073. The dynamic balance from the Berg Balance Scale, Functional Reach Test, Timed Up and Go Test and 10-M Walk Test revealed significant improvement after the balance exercises with p<0.05 Conclusion: It is concluded that proprioception training exercises are effective in improving balance among patients with Diabetic neuropathy. Continuous...


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Wareńczak ◽  
Przemysław Lisiński

Abstract Background: The aim of the study was to conduct a long-term evaluation of whether total hip replacement permanently affects the quality of postural reactions and body balance. Material and methods: The unilateral Total Hip Replacement (THR) group consisted of 30 subjects (mean age: 69.4). The control group consisted of 30 healthy subjects (mean age: 68.8). The force platform and functional tests such as Timed Up and Go, 3m walk test, Functional Reach Test, 30s Chair Stand Test, Step Test and Berg Balance Scale were used to assess dynamic balance. Results: Subjects from the study group exhibited significantly increased time (p=0.002) and distance (p=0.012) in the tests performed on the force platform compared to the control group. We also observed worse balance and functional test scores in the THR group: Timed Up and Go test (p<0.001), 3m walk test (p<0.001), Functional Reach Test (p=0.003), 30s Chair Stand Test (p=0.002) and Step Test (operated leg: p<0.001, non-operated leg: p=0.002). The results obtained in the Berg Balance Scale tests were not significantly different between the groups (p=0.597). Conclusions: Our research shows that total hip replacement permanently impairs patients’ dynamic balance and functionality in certain lower-extremity activities. Keywords: balance, total hip replacement, gait, muscle strength


Author(s):  
Élcio Alves Guimarães ◽  
Kennedy Rodrigues Lima ◽  
Flávia Fernandes Oliveira ◽  
Renato Mota da Silva ◽  
Lucas Resende Sousa ◽  
...  

Background: Aging is a dynamic, progressive and physiological process, accompanied by morphological and functional changes, as well as biochemical and psychological changes, resulting in a decrease in the functional reserve of organs and system. With aging, functional losses occur, so the elderly have a greater predisposition to falls. Objective: To compare the propensity to falls between elderly men and women correlating with the level of cognition and balance. Methods: The sample consisted of 60 elderly people, of which 30 were male and 30 were female both aged 65 to 80 years. The propensity to falls was assessed using the “Timed Up and Go” and “Functional Reach” tests, and the state of cognition was assessed by the test “Mini-Mental State Examination”. Results: The results obtained with Time Up and Go, Functional Reach and the Mini-Mental State Examination, indicated that, as the values of one of the variables increase, the values of the other variable increase too; as the values of one of the variables decrease, the values of the other variable increase too. Conclusions: It can be concluded that there was no increased risk of fall when compared the genders; but the female presented altered cognitive deficit.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. S. Rajaratnam ◽  
J. Gui KaiEn ◽  
K. Lee JiaLin ◽  
Kwek SweeSin ◽  
S. Sim FenRu ◽  
...  

This randomised controlled and double-blinded pilot study evaluated if interactive virtual reality balance related games integrated within conventional rehabilitation sessions resulted in more superior retraining of dynamic balance compared to CR after stroke. 19 subjects diagnosed with a recent episode of stroke were recruited from a local rehabilitation hospital and randomly assigned to either a control or an experimental group. Subjects in the control groups underwent 60 minutes of conventional rehabilitation while those in the experimental groups underwent 40 minutes of convention rehabilitation and 20 minutes of self-directed virtual reality balanced rehabilitation. Functional Reach Test, Timed Up and Go, Modified Barthel Index, Berg Balance Scale, and Centre of Pressure of subjects in both groups were evaluated before and on completion of the rehabilitation sessions. Results indicate that the inclusion of interactive virtual reality balance related games within conventional rehabilitation can lead to improved functional mobility and balance after a recent episode of stroke without increasing treatment time that requires more health professional manpower.


Author(s):  
Marianna Costarella ◽  
Lucilla Monteleone ◽  
Roberto Steindler ◽  
Stefano Maria Zuccaro

There are several tests to value the psychophysical characteristics of older people and, among all, the most suitable to this aim are here considered the Functional Reach (FR) test, as an index of the aptitude to maintain balance in upright position, and the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), as a global index of cognitive abilities. The sample of older people we have analysed concerns 50 healthy subjects divided into three groups according to the age (15 from 55 to 64 years old, 19 from 65 to 74 years old, and 16 more than 75 years old); they underwent a FR test, which consists first in the measurement of the anthropometric characteristics, then in the execution of the test itself, and finally in the study of the upright posture carried out analysing the Centre of Pressure (COP) trend; they underwent as well a MMSE to value the main areas of the cognitive function concerning the space-temporal orientation, the short-term memory, the attention ability, the calculus ability and the praxis-constructive ability. The results of these tests show, according to the age, a loss both of the physical performances (FR, FR related to height, and COP displacement), and of the cognitive abilities (MMSE); however, in all cases, the only significant changes are those between the first and the other two groups of age. A comparison between the results of male and female subjects inside the three groups, although the results of the males are generally superior to the female ones, is never significant; moreover, the differences of the FR tests, in particular, are completely not significant if compared to the height of the subjects. Finally, a comparison between FR and MMSE shows a quicker decline of the physical performances with regard to the cognitive ones.


2003 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Bennie ◽  
Kathryn Bruner ◽  
Allan Dizon ◽  
Holly Fritz ◽  
Bob Goodman ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatima Nari ◽  
Bich Na Jang ◽  
Hin Moi Youn ◽  
Wonjeong Jeong ◽  
Sung-In Jang ◽  
...  

AbstractFrailty is considered a multidimensional geriatric syndrome, manifested by the accumulation of age-associated deficits. The consequences of frailty transitions are still understudied. This study evaluated the influence of frailty transitions on cognitive function in the older adult population. We used data derived from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA) (2008–2018) on older adults aged ≥ 65 years. Frailty was assessed using a validated Korean frailty measure known as the frailty instrument (FI), and cognitive function was measured using the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE). Transitions in frailty and their relationship with cognitive function were investigated using lagged generalized estimating equations (GEE), t-tests, and ANOVA. Respondents who experienced frailty transitions (those with ameliorating frailty), those who developed frailty, and whose frailty remained constant, were more likely to have a lower cognitive function than those who were consistently non-frail. Older age, activities of daily living (ADL) disability, and instrumental ADL disability were more negatively associated with declining cognitive function, especially in the “frail → frail” group. Changes in all individual components of the frailty instrument were significantly associated with impaired cognitive function. The results suggest an association between frailty transitions and cognitive impairment. Over a 2-year span, the remaining frail individuals had the highest rate of cognitive decline in men, while the change from non-frail to frail state in women was significantly associated with the lowest cognitive function values. We recommend early interventions and prevention strategies in older adults to help ameliorate or slow down both frailty and cognitive function decline.


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