title: Fall prevention in the young old using an exoskeleton human body posturizer: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fall risk in elderly has been related with physical decline, low quality of life and reduced survival.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the impact of exoskeleton human body posturizer (HBP) on the fall risk in the elderly.
  
  
  METHODS
  150 subjects (mean age 64.85; 79 M/71 F) with mild fall risk were randomized into two groups: 75 for group treated with human body posturizer (HBP group) and 75 for physical training without HBP group (exercise group). The effects of interventions were assessed by differences in tests related to balance and falls. Medically eligible patients were screened with Tinetti balance and Gait evaluation scale, short physical performance battery and numeric pain rating scale to determine fall risk in elderly people.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the HBP group there was a significant improvement in short physical performance battery, Tinetti scale and Pain Numeric rating scale with a significant reduction in fall risk (p < 0.05). In the exercise group we observed only minimal variations in the test scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results at the sixth and twelfth months show a twofold positive effect in the HBP group reducing fall risk and improving quality of life by reducing pain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of exoskeleton human body posturizer seems to be a new significant device for prevention of fall in elderly patients. Further research should be carried out to obtain more evidence on effects of robotic technology for fall prevention in the elderly.
authors: Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Anestesiological and Geriatric Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy. walter.verrusio@uniroma1.it.|, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy. walter.verrusio@uniroma1.it.
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Verrusio
authors: Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Anestesiological and Geriatric Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Gianturco
authors: Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Anestesiological and Geriatric Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Cacciafesta
authors: Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Anestesiological and Geriatric Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Marigliano
authors: Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Anestesiological and Geriatric Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Troisi
authors: Department of Human Movement, Social and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Ripani
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D051341:Dependent Ambulation / Q000502:physiology; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000379:methods; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012656:Self-Help Devices; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Elderly; Exoskeleton; Fall prevention; Posture; Quality of life