title: Long-term effects of a progressive and specific balance-training programme with multi-task exercises for older adults with osteoporosis: a randomized controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate long-term effects of balance-training on concerns about falling, gait, balance performance, and physical function in older adults with osteoporosis and increased risk of falling.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial, including three groups (training, training+physical activity, and control group), with follow-ups at three, nine, and 15 months. Short-term, three-month follow-up, benefits for those who fulfilled the first follow-up ( n = 69) have previously been reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  Stockholm, Sweden.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 96 elderly, age 66-87, with verified osteoporosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Balance-training programme including dual- and multitasks, with or without supplementary physical activity, three times/week over 12 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Concerns about falling Falls Efficacy Scale -International (FES-I), walking at preferred speed with and without a cognitive dual-task and at fast speed, balance tests (one-leg stance and modified figure-of-eight), and physical function Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument (LLFDI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants in the training group maintained positive effects throughout the study period for concerns about falling (baseline vs. 15 months, median 27.5 vs. 23 points, p < 0.001) and walking performance (baseline vs. 15 months, p ⩽ 0.05 with an improvement of 0.9-1.4 m/s). The Training+physical activity group declined to baseline values at the nine-month follow-up, and were even lower at the 15-month follow-up for concerns about falling (median 26 vs. 26 points), walking performance (changes of -0.02 to 0.04 m/s), and physical function (mean 44.0 vs. 42.9 points). The control group remained unchanged throughout the study period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This balance-training programme reduced concerns about falling, and also improved gait in older adults with osteoporosis and increased risk of falling in a long-term perspective - important issues for fall prevention.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.|2 Department of Physical Therapy, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Halvarsson
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.|4 Technological Leadership Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.|5 Recanati School for Community Health Professions, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel.
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Oddsson
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.|2 Department of Physical Therapy, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Franzén
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.|2 Department of Physical Therapy, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Agneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ståhle
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D058996:Quality Improvement; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013548:Sweden; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Balance; fear of falling; long-term follow-up; osteoporosis; training