The effects of eyeball exercise on balance ability and falls efficacy of the elderly who have experienced a fall: A single-blind, randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of eyeball exercise on balance and fall efficacy of the elderly who have experienced a fall.


METHODS
Subjects were randomly assigned to the eyeball exercise group (n=30) or functional exercise group (n=31). All subjects received 30 sessions for 10 weeks. To identify the effects on balance, static and dynamic balance were measured using the center of pressure (CoP) measurement equipment and Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) respectively. Fall efficacy was evaluated using the modified efficacy scale (MFES). The outcome measurements were performed before and after the 10 weeks training period.


RESULTS
After 10 weeks, static balance, dynamic balance, and fall efficacy were significantly improved in both groups. Also, there were significant differences in the outcome measures between both groups (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that eyeball exercise is beneficial to improve the fall efficacy as well as the balance of the elderly compared with functional exercise. Eyeball exercise would be useful to improve balance and fall efficacy of the elderly who have experienced a fall.
Department of Occupational Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University, Wonju, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: roophy@naver.com.
Jin-Hyuck
JH
Park
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005123:Eye; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Balance; Elderly; Eyeball exercise; Fall efficacy; Functional exercise