title: Effect of whole body vibration exercise in the horizontal direction on balance and fear of falling in elderly people: a pilot study.
abstract: [Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of whole body vibration exercise in the horizontal direction on balance and fear of falling in the elderly. [Methods] This study was a case series of 17 elderly individuals. Participants performed whole body vibration exercise in the horizontal direction using a whole body vibration device for 15 minutes a day, 3 times a week, for 6 weeks. At baseline and after the 6-week intervention, balance was measured using the Berg Balance Scale and Timed Up and Go test, and fear of falling was assessed using the Falls Efficacy Scale. [Results] After the intervention, significant improvements from baseline values in the Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go test, and Falls Efficacy Scale were observed in the study participants. [Conclusion] Elderly individuals who performed whole body vibration exercise in the horizontal direction showed significant improvements in balance and fear of falling. However, the observed benefits of whole body vibration exercise in the horizontal direction need to be confirmed by additional studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nurse, Chosun Nursing College, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: ChungSin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shim
authors.affiliation: Department of Nurse, Dongseo University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: YunBok
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Hansol Medical Foundation Changwon Hanseo Hospital, Republic of Korea ; Department of Physical Therapy, Kyungnam University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: DongGeon
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: BeomHo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, Jinhae Public Seobu Health Subcenter, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: JinBeom
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Happy Hospital, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: YoungWoo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Kyungnam University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: GyuChang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Dong-Sik
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Park
keywords: Balance; Elderly; Whole body vibration