title: Effect of a home exercise program on dynamic balance in elderly with a history of falls.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine exercise efficacy in improving dynamic balance in community-dwelling elderly with a fall history.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-five participants were randomly assigned to a treatment (TG; n = 19, 77 ± 7 yr) or control group (CG; n = 16, 75 ± 8 yr). The TG received an individualized home exercise program, and the CG received phone calls twice per week for 12 weeks. Participants' dynamic-balance abilities- directional control (DC), endpoint excursion (EE), maximum excursion (ME), reaction time (RT), and movement velocity (MV)-were measured using the Balance Master at 75% limits of stability. Functional reach (FR) was also measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 12 weeks the TG demonstrated significant improvements in DC (p < .0025), EE (p < .0005), and ME (p < .0005), but the CG did not. No significant group differences were found for MV, RT, or FR.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Excursion distances and directional control improved but not reaction time, suggesting that exercises requiring quick responses may be needed.
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Therapy, Texas Woman's University, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Sharon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.forename: Shu-Shi
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ching-Yi
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time; D016037:Single-Blind Method