Abstract
BackgroundFalls in older adults are considered a major public health problem. Declines in cognitive and physical functions, as measured by parameters including reaction time, mobility, and dual-task performance, have been reported to be important risk factors for falls. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of two multimodal programs on reaction time, mobility, and dual-task performance in community-dwelling older adults at risk of falling.MethodsIn this randomized controlled trial, fifty-one participants (75.4 ± 5.6 years) were allocated into two experimental groups (EGs) (with sessions 3 times per week for 24 weeks), and a control group: EG1 was enrolled in a psychomotor intervention program, EG2 was enrolled in a combined exercise program (psychomotor intervention program + whole-body vibration program), and the control group maintained their usual daily activities. The participants were assessed at baseline, after the intervention, and after a 12-week no-intervention follow-up period.ResultsThe comparisons revealed significant improvements in mobility and dual-task performance after the intervention in EG1, while there were improvements in reaction time, mobility, and dual-task performance in EG2 (p ≤ 0.05). The size of the interventions’ clinical effect was medium in EG1 and ranged from medium to large in EG2. The comparisons also showed a reduction in the fall rate in both EGs (EG1: -44.2%; EG2: − 63.0%, p ≤ 0.05) from baseline to post-intervention. The interventions’ effects on reaction time, mobility, and dual-task performance were no longer evident after the 12-week no-intervention follow-up period.ConclusionsThe results suggest that multimodal psychomotor programs were well tolerated by community-dwelling older adults and were effective for fall prevention, as well as for the prevention of cognitive and physical functional decline, particularly if the programs are combined with whole-body vibration exercise. The discontinuation of these programs could lead to the fast reversal of the positive outcomes achieved.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03446352. Date of registration: February 07, 2018.
Highlights
Falls in older adults are considered a major public health problem
The results suggest that multimodal psychomotor programs were well tolerated by community-dwelling older adults and were effective for fall prevention, as well as for the prevention of cognitive and physical functional decline, if the programs are combined with whole-body vibration exercise
82.4% of the participants in this study were women. This proportion is similar to those in other prevention fall programs, recruitment strategies must be adopted to reduce this inequality in sex [41]. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) study showed that the two multimodal exercise programs studied were well tolerated and were effective in improving cognitive and physical risk factors for falls, reaction time (RT), mobility, and DT performance
Summary
Falls in older adults are considered a major public health problem. Declines in cognitive and physical functions, as measured by parameters including reaction time, mobility, and dual-task performance, have been reported to be important risk factors for falls. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of two multimodal programs on reaction time, mobility, and dual-task performance in community-dwelling older adults at risk of falling. Among the intrinsic risk factors, the deterioration of cognitive and physical functions in older people is evident [4]. Concerning physical function, the sensorimotor and neuromuscular impairments that result from aging are associated with reduced levels of mobility and are considered risk factors for falls [8]. Exercisebased fall prevention programs should modify the complexity and intensity of tasks, those related to mobility and cognitive training, according to the participant’s capacity [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
