Does modified Otago Exercise Program improves balance in older people? A systematic review.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Physical Therapy
• Public Health

Background:

• Exercise interventions, particularly strength and balance training, are crucial for preventing falls in older adults.
• Compliance with prescribed exercise programs remains a significant challenge, necessitating tailored approaches.
• The Otago Exercise Program (OEP) is a widely adopted, individually prescribed home-based falls prevention program.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify modified formats of the Otago Exercise Program (OEP).
• To investigate the effects of these modified OEP formats on balance in older adults.
• To compare the effectiveness of modified OEP formats against the original OEP delivery.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted across four databases (PubMed, PEDro, Science Direct, Scopus) from January to February 2017.
• Included studies involved older adults (≥50 years) at risk of falling and utilized modified OEP interventions.
• Study designs encompassed experimental and qualitative approaches, with balance as the primary outcome, analyzed using PRISMA guidelines.

Main Results:

• Eight studies met the inclusion criteria, including five RCTs, two quasi-experimental, and one qualitative study.
• Modified OEP formats incorporated elements like vestibular/multisensory exercises, augmented reality, group settings, and DVD delivery.
• All modified OEP formats demonstrated improvements in balance and functional ability.

Conclusions:

• Modified versions of the Otago Exercise Program (OEP) appear to enhance balance and functional ability in older adults.
• The comparative effectiveness of modified OEP formats against the original program and among themselves requires further investigation.
• Tailoring exercise interventions, such as modified OEP, may improve adherence and outcomes for falls prevention.