Improving balance control and self-reported lower extremity function in community-dwelling older adults: a randomized...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Biomechanics
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Balance impairment is a significant risk factor for falls and injuries in older adults.
• Specific balance training programs can mitigate fall risks.
• The role of dual-task exercises in enhancing balance in healthy older adults requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of a group-based functional and specific balance training program incorporating dual-task exercises on the balance function of healthy older adults.
• To determine if this training improves voluntary stepping and reduces fall risk indicators.

Main Methods:

• A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted with 66 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 77.0 ± 6.5 years) without pre-existing balance impairments.
• Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n=33) receiving 24 training sessions over three months or a reference group (n=33) receiving no intervention.
• Outcome measures included voluntary step execution times (single- and dual-task), stabilogram-diffusion analysis, and self-reported physical function, assessed at baseline and post-intervention. The intervention group was reassessed at six months.

Main Results:

• The intervention group demonstrated significantly faster voluntary step execution times under both single-task (P=0.02) and dual-task (P=0.036) conditions compared to the reference group.
• Stabilogram-diffusion analysis revealed lower transition displacement (P=0.007) and shorter transition time (P=0.08) in the eyes-closed condition for the training group.
• Self-reported lower extremity function improved significantly (P=0.006) in the intervention group, though these effects diminished by the six-month follow-up.

Conclusions:

• Group-based functional and specific balance training, including dual-task exercises, effectively enhances voluntary stepping and balance control in healthy older adults who are not fallers.
• The training improves key parameters associated with reduced fall risk.
• The observed benefits on balance function were transient, highlighting the need for maintenance strategies.