title: Improving balance control and self-reported lower extremity function in community-dwelling older adults: a randomized control trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of a group-based functional and specific balance training programme that included dual-task exercises on balance function in healthy older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single-blind randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  General community.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-six community-dwelling older adults (age 77.0 ± 6.5 years), without functional balance impairment were recruited and allocated at random to an intervention group (n = 33) or a reference group (n = 33).
  
  
  METHODS
  The intervention group received 24 training sessions over three months that included perturbation as well as dual-task exercises. The reference group received no intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  The voluntary step execution times during single- and dual-task conditions, stabilogram-diffusion analysis in upright standing, and self-reported physical function; all were measured assessed at baseline and at the end of intervention. The intervention group was retested after six months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the reference group, participation in group-based functional and specific balance training led to faster voluntary step execution times under single-task (P = 0.02; effect size (ES) = 0.34) and dual-task (P = 0.036; ES = 0.55) conditions; lower transition displacement and shorter transition time of the stabilogram-diffusion analysis under eyes-closed conditions (P = 0.007, ES = 0.30 and P = 0.08, ES = 0.44, respectively); and improved self-reported lower extremity function (P = 0.006, ES = 0.37). Effects were lost at six-month follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Functional and specific balance training can improve voluntary stepping and balance control in healthy older non-fallers, parameters previously found to be related to increased risk of falls and injury in older adults.
authors: NeuroMuscular Research Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
authors: Itshak
authors: I
authors: Melzer
authors: Lars Ie
authors: LIe
authors: Oddsson
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*