A Balance-Specific Exercise Intervention Improves Falls Risk but not Total Physical Functionality in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this research was to investigate whether a simple balance-specific exercise simultaneously improves physical functionality and falls. Methods: Thirty-two community-dwelling individuals aged 65-92 years were assigned to either the control or wobble-board group. Participants were assessed pre-and postintervention using the Physiological Profile Assessment (a measure of falls risk) and the Continuous-Scale Physical Functional Performance-10 (a measure of physical functionality). Results: Participants in the intervention group, wobble-board training, had a decrease in their risk of falling by 36% (p = 0.009, η ρ 2 = 0.396), while the control group recorded a slight but nonsignificant increase (6%). No change was seen in their total Continuous-Scale Physical Functional Performance-10 score. Conclusion: A balancespecific intervention decreased falls-risk and improved balance but not sufficiently to affect total physical functionality.

Does wobble board training improve balance in older adults? A systematic review

“…Four studies utilised a multidimensional balance outcome measure, i.e. the BBS, or the continuous-scale physical function performance test 10 (CS-PFP10) [18,21,23]. A weighted average improvement of 4.4% was observed across those studies using this outcome measure and with a 0.61 weighted average effect size.…”

“…This suggests an overall moderate effect of wobble board training on BBS (or similar). Wobble board training demonstrated improvements in balance between 1.6% [22] and 6.3% [21], however, the multi-dimensional nature of these outcome measures and the lack of detailed reporting, prevents identifying the improved element/s. The minimal clinically important difference in healthy older adults has not been established, however ranged from 5% in people with multiple sclerosis [25] to 21% in older adults recovering from hip fracture [26].…”

“…The search strategy identified six relevant studies for review: four randomised controlled trials [18][19][20][21], one pilot study [22] and one repeated measures single-subject design [23]. In total, the studies described 129 healthy older adults, aged 60 years old and above.…”

“…Various balance outcome measures were applied across the studies. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was used in two studies [18,23], Continuous Scale-Physical Functional Performance 10 (SCS-PEP10) [21] and the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) in three studies [18][19][20]. Postural sway was measured in two studies [19,20], including tasks ranging from single leg stance [19,20], tandem stance and double leg stance [20].…”

“…Hande et al[18] y y n y n y y y y y n n y n n y y y y y u y n n n y y 16 Ogaya et al[19] y y y y y y y y y n y y y n n y y y y y y y n n y u y 22 Schilling et al[20] y y y y y y y y y y y y y n n y y y y y y y y n n y y 23 Smee et al[21] y y y y y y y n y y y y y n n y y y y y y y n n y y y 22 (Dougherty et al[22] y y y y y y y n y y y y y n n n y y u y y y n n y y y 19 Kosse et al[23] n y y y y y n n n n y y y Yes, 0 ¼ No, question 5, 2 ¼ Yes, 1¼ partially 0 ¼ No).…”