THE EFFECT OF A 6-WEEK BALANCE EXERCISE PROGRAM ON BALANCE PARAMETERS IN FRAILTY SYNDROME: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED,...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Geriatric patients with frailty syndrome often experience impaired balance and increased fall frequency.
• Physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics manage a significant number of older adults with these conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of a six-week balance exercise program on balance parameters and fall frequency in geriatric patients with frailty syndrome.
• To compare the outcomes of a balance exercise program against a flexibility exercise program in this population.

Main Methods:

• A randomized prospective study involving 216 geriatric patients.
• Participants were assigned to either a flexibility exercise group or a balance exercise group (including kinesthetic ability trainer [KAT] exercises).
• Balance was assessed using Berg Balance Scale, time-up-and-go, one-leg stand, and KAT 4000 static balance tests over six weeks.

Main Results:

• Patients without frailty syndrome initially performed significantly better in balance tests (p˂0.001).
• The balance exercise group (Group 2) showed statistically significant improvements in balance parameters after six weeks (p˂0.05).
• Frailty syndrome was identified in 17.12% of the study participants.

Conclusions:

• A six-week balance exercise program is effective in improving balance parameters in older adults with frailty syndrome.
• Balance training, incorporating tools like the KAT, enhances functional and static balance in the geriatric population.
• Long-term exercise interventions are crucial for improving balance and exercise performance in older adults, particularly those with frailty.