Effects of exercise programs on balance in older women with age-related visual problems: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to compare the effects of two exercise programs on balance and risk of falls in older women with age-related visual dysfunction.


METHODS
Participants living in a residential home were randomly allocated to Group I (n=21) receiving a progressive, tailored multimodal exercise program in addition to the standard osteoporosis exercise program or Group II (n=20) receiving the standard osteoporosis exercise program alone. At baseline, and after the 6-month exercise program outcomes were measured.


RESULTS
After the exercise program there was significant between-group difference in favor of the Group I in Timed Up and Go (TUG) test (p=0.001), but not in Berg Balance score (p=0.130), and Barthel Activity Index (p=0.662). In Group I the risk of falls reduced by 46%, but this result was not significant (RR=0.54, 95% CI 0.294-1.007). The mean length of event-free time was significantly longer in the Group I than in Group II (18.5 weeks, 95% CI 15.4-21.7 vs. 14.8 weeks, 95% CI 11.1-18.4; p=0.049).


CONCLUSIONS
If the current osteoporosis guideline is applied for older adults with low vision, it would be worthwhile putting more emphasis on the inclusion of patient-tailored strength and balance exercises to improve balance and potentially reduce the risk of falls.
National Institute for Blind People, Budapest, 21 Hermina Street, H 1146 Budapest, Hungary. kovacse@se-etk.hu
Eva
E
Kovács
Klára
K
Tóth
Lívia
L
Dénes
Tamás
T
Valasek
Klára
K
Hazafi
Gyöngyvér
G
Molnár
Anna
A
Fehér-Kiss
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000628:therapy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance; D012306:Risk; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000150:complications*