[Effect of balance exercise on functional reach test and body sway for the frail elderly]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of balance exercise considering cognitive function on Functional Reach Test (FRT) and Body Sway (BS) for the frail elderly.

We enrolled 23 frail elderly (4 men and 19 women, mean age 81.5+/-4.8SD) who had given approval for participation in the study. They were divided into two groups at random: the balance exercise group (the control group) and the cognitive group (balance exercise considering cognitive function; task difficulty, internal observation). Postural balance exercise continued for 4 weeks, one session being 5 minutes, two or three times weekly. The control and intervention subjects were tested before the exercise, at the end of the trial, and 4 weeks after the exercise.

There was no change on walking speed in both groups. At the post-exercise stage, the cognitive subjects showed improved FRT and BS. In contrast there were not many significant improvements in the controls. At 4 weeks after the exercise, BS of the cognitive subjects showed continued improvements.

These findings indicate that balance exercise considering cognitive function can improve standing posture balance in the frail elderly. The result showing continued improvements suggested that task difficulty in need of attention and judgment, and internal observation have an influence on the process of motor learning.