A Comparative Study on the Effects of Task Oriented Balance Training Program with or without Altered Sensory Input on Balance and Functional Performance in Older Adults : A Case Control Study

Abstract

Background and purpose: This study was designed to compare the effectiveness of task oriented balance training program with altered sensory input versus task oriented balance training program without altered sensory input. This helps us to choose a better training program for improving and reducing the risk of fall in elderly population Subjects: Fourty eight older adults from independent life-care communities, aged 71 to 75 years (X = 79.2, SD = 6.2), participated.Methods: Patients were divided into group A and group B. Group A received Task oriented balance training program with altered sensory input while the group B receiving task oriented balance training program without altered sensory input. Subjects were then assessed on balance scale – Berg balance scale (BBS) and Functional performance measure – Ten meter walk test (10MWT).Results: There was a significant improvement in BBS and 10MWT in patients performed Task oriented training program with altered sensory input than the patients performed Task oriented training program without altered sensory input.Conclusion: Although the obtained results reveal that subjects in both groups were benefitted from balance training interventions with a significant improvement in post intervention balance scores on BBS and functional measure, ie.10 meter walk test, subjects in group A performed better than Group B. The improvement may be as the result of increased use of somatosensory. And this sensory compensation might have improved sensorimotor integration of postural control in the central nervous system, thus serving to activate and coordinate motor processes i.e. action of proper muscle synergies.