title: Rhythmic stepping exercise under cognitive conditions improves fall risk factors in community-dwelling older adults: Preliminary results of a cluster-randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this pilot trial was to evaluate whether a 24-week program of rhythmic stepping exercise (RSE) would be effective in improving physical function and reducing fear of falling in older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four units (n = 52) randomized into an RSE group (two units, n = 25) and a non-rhythmic stepping exercise (NRSE) group (two units, n = 27) participated in a pilot cluster randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Each exercise group received 60 min group training sessions once a week for 24 weeks. Measurement was based on the difference in physical functions between the RSE and NRSE groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant differences were observed between the two groups for locomotive function with significant group × time interaction. Relative risk was calculated as 2.778 (95% CI: 1.030-7.492) for fear of falling for participants in the NRSE group compared with patients in the RSE group (p = 0.037).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this pilot trial suggest that the RSE program is more effective in improving locomotive function and fear of falling.
authors.affiliation: Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. yamada@hs.med.kyoto-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Buichi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Koutatsu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nagai
authors.forename: Tomoki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aoyama
authors.forename: Noriaki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ichihashi
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking