Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Feldenkrais Method balance classes on balance and mobility in older adults. This was a prospective non-randomized controlled study with pre/post measures. The setting for this study was the general community. A convenience sample of 26 community-dwelling older adults (median age 75 years) attending Feldenkrais Method balance classes formed the Intervention group. Thirty-seven volunteers were recruited for the Control group (median age 76.5 years). A series of Feldenkrais Method balance classes (the 33312Getting Grounded Gracefully33313 series), two classes per week for 10 weeks, were conducted. Main outcome measures were Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) questionnaire, Four Square Step Test (FSST), self-selected gait speed (using GAITRite instrumented gait mat). At re-testing, the Intervention group showed significant improvement on all of the measures (ABC, P = .016, FSST, P = .001, gait speed, P < .001). The Control group improved significantly on one measure (FSST, P < .001). Compared to the Control group, the Intervention group made a significant improvement in their ABC score (P = .005), gait speed (P = .017) and FSST time (P = .022). These findings suggest that Feldenkrais Method balance classes may improve mobility and balance in older adults.
Highlights
Various forms of exercise have aimed to improve balance in older adults, generally to attempt to reduce the incidence of falls [1,2,3,4]
Compared to the Control group, the Intervention group made a significant improvement in their Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) score (P = .005), gait speed (P = .017) and Four Square Step Test (FSST) time (P = .022)
There was no significant difference in age between the Intervention group [median = 75.0 (IQR = 8.0) years] and the Control group [median = 76.5 (IQR = 10.0) years] (P = .39)
Summary
Various forms of exercise have aimed to improve balance in older adults, generally to attempt to reduce the incidence of falls [1,2,3,4]. The Feldenkrais Method has the potential to be a useful tool for balance retraining. Dr Feldenkrais combined his understanding of human movement from his martial arts training, with extensive reading from Eastern and Western sources to develop a unique approach to improving movement. This approach is currently practised by thousands of registered Feldenkrais Method practitioners working in over 20 countries. The Feldenkrais Method ‘Awareness Through Movement’ classes use an exploratory learning approach, in which participants are verbally guided through movement sequences aimed at improvement of body awareness and movement organization [13]. Among the hundreds of lessons which Dr Feldenkrais created [12], many are suitable for balance retraining
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