title: Proof of concept for perturbation-based balance training in older adults at a high risk for falls.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the efficacy of perturbation-based balance training (PBBT) on time to stabilization (TTS) after a nonstepping response to a postural perturbation in older adults at a high risk for falls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-subject design. Participants completed 4 baseline tests, 1 month of PBBT, and posttraining tests both 1 week and 1 month after training.
  
  
  METHODS
  Assisted-living facility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Older adults (N=5; mean ± SD age, 85±6.5y; residents of assisted-living facility) at a high risk for falls.
  
  
  METHODS
  PBBT involved 3 sessions a week for 4 weeks. Each session involved standing for 50 trials on a pneumatic instrumented moving platform that translated 0 to 0.08m forward or 0 to 0.13m backward in approximately 390ms (average velocity, 0.25m/s).
  
  
  METHODS
  Time to stabilization of center of pressure (COP) after a perturbation on the moving platform.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TTS of COP was 41.6% shorter than baseline tests (P<.001) 1 week after completing PBBT and 46.3% shorter than baseline tests (P<.001) 1 month after completing PBBT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PBBT improved TTS after a postural perturbation in older adults at a high risk for falls, and these improvements were retained for 1 month.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Bucknell University, 701 Moore Avenue, Lewisburg, PA 17837, USA. k.bieryla@bucknell.edu
authors.forename: Kathleen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Bieryla
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Madigan
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D040561:Assisted Living Facilities; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance; D012307:Risk Factors