Effectiveness of Multisensory Exercises Versus Conventional Balance Exercises on Balance and Coordination in the...

Balance impairment is a major contributor to falls, morbidity, and loss of independence in older adults. Although conventional balance training is widely used, recent attention has shifted toward multisensory interventions, including balance tasks, dual-task training, and perturbation-based exercises, which target the visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive systems and may yield superior outcomes by improving sensory integration and postural control. In light of the potential for improved outcomes with multisensory interventions, this review systematically evaluates and compares the effectiveness of multisensory balance training, which integrates visual, auditory, and somatosensory cues, with conventional balance exercises, which typically involve standard physical activities without additional sensory input, in improving balance, coordination, and reaction time among individuals aged 60 years and older. To address this objective, this systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) guidelines. Comprehensive searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, EBSCO, and Cochrane CENTRAL for studies published within the past 10 years. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials involving geriatric participants. Data extraction and qualitative synthesis were undertaken, and the risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool. As a result of these search and selection methods, 12 studies with a total of 958 participants were included. The multisensory interventions evaluated included proprioceptive training (e.g., joint-position exercises), perturbation-based training (e.g., unexpected platform movements), visual-cue training (e.g., visual markers for movement), posturography-based training (e.g., feedback from force platforms), and unstable-surface training (e.g., balance boards). These interventions demonstrated greater improvements in balance and functional mobility compared to conventional exercises in most studies. Significant improvements were observed in Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go (TUG), and Functional Reach Test (FRT) outcomes (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Risk of bias assessment indicated that nine studies had some concerns, while three were classified as high risk. Based on these findings, multisensory balance training appears more effective than conventional exercise in improving balance, coordination, and functional mobility in the geriatric population. Integration of these approaches into physiotherapy practice is recommended; however, further high-quality studies are needed to confirm these findings.