Getting Grounded Gracefully: effectiveness and acceptability of Feldenkrais in improving balance.
The Getting Grounded Gracefully program, based on the Awareness Through Movement lessons of the Feldenkrais method, was designed to improve balance and function in older people. Fifty-five participants (mean age 75, 85% women) were randomized to an intervention (twice-weekly group classes over 8 wk) or a control group (continued with their usual activity) after being assessed at baseline and then reassessed 8 wk later. Significant improvement was identified for the intervention group relative to the control group using ANOVA between-groups repeated-measures analysis for the Modified Falls Efficacy Scale score (p = .003) and gait speed (p = .028), and a strong trend was evident in the timed up-and-go (p = .056). High class attendance (88%) and survey feedback indicate that the program was viewed positively by participants and might therefore be acceptable to other older people. Further investigation of the Getting Grounded Gracefully program is warranted.
Vrantsidis
Freda
F
Preventive and Public Health Division, National Ageing Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Hill
Keith D
KD
Moore
Kirsten
K
Webb
Robert
R
Hunt
Susan
S
Dowson
Leslie
L
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001364:Awareness / Q000502:physiology*; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007699:Kinesthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome