title: Improved Balance Confidence and Stability for Elderly After 6 Weeks of a Multimodal Self-Administered Balance-Enhancing Exercise Program: A Randomized Single Arm Crossover Study.
abstract: Objective:To develop and assess the efficacy of a multimodal balance-enhancing exercise program (BEEP) designed to be regularly self-administered by community-dwelling elderly. The program aims to promote sensory reweighting, facilitate motor control, improve gaze stabilization, and stimulate continuous improvement by being constantly challenging.Method:Forty participants aged 60 to 80 years performed 6 weeks of BEEP training, on average for 16 min four times weekly, in a randomized one-arm crossover design.Results:One-leg standing time improved 32% with eyes open (EO), 206% with eyes closed (EC) on solid surface, and 54% EO on compliant surface (p< .001). Posturography confirmed balance improvements when perturbed on solid and compliant surfaces with EO and EC (p≤ .033). Walking, step stool, and Timed Up and Go speeds increased (p≤ .001), as did scores in Berg Balance and balance confidence scales (p≤ .018).Discussion:Multimodal balance exercises offer an efficient, cost-effective way to improve balance control and confidence in elderly.
authors.affiliation: Lund University, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hafström
authors.affiliation: Lund University, Sweden; Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Eva-Maj
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Malmström
authors.affiliation: Lund University, Sweden.
authors.forename: Josefine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Terdèn
authors.affiliation: Lund University, Sweden.
authors.forename: Per-Anders
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Fransson
authors.affiliation: Lund University, Sweden.
authors.forename: Måns
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Magnusson
keywords: elderly; exercise training; one-leg standing time; postural balance; posturography