Impact of Mild-Level Exercises on Gait, Balance, and Functional Status to Prevent Fall among Elderly in Selected Areas of Belagavi District, Karnataka: A Pilot Study

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Abstract Background: Falls, a frequent and preventable cause of morbidity, raise the likelihood of functional independence loss and the requirement for hospitalization and institutionalization, placing a strain on the health-care system. The annual expenses for acute care linked to fractures from falls are estimated at $10 billion, despite the fact that the entire expenditures for acute care connected to falls remain unclear. Objectives: The objective of this study was to administer the mild-level exercise program of the elderly among the experimental group and to determine the effect of the mild-level exercise program on the improvement of gait, balance, and functional status of the elderly among the experimental group. Methodology: A quantitative approach with posttest-only control group design was adopted for the study. The samples from the selected rural areas of Belagavi district were selected using convenient sampling technique. The sample consisted of 26 elderly people 13 in each experimental and control group. The tools used for data collection was Berg Balance Scale and Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment Scale for gait and Functional Status Scale. Results: The mean difference between posttest gait, balance, and functional status scores of elders in the experimental and control group is 3.69, 14.07, and 4.75, respectively. The independent “t” test obtained values are “t” (24) =6.65, 7.39, and 4.75, respectively, for gait, balance, and functional status at P > 0.05 is found to be significant inferring that there is a significant difference in posttest gait, balance, and functional scores of elders among experimental and control groups after intervention indicating improvement of gait among the participants of experimental group after undergoing mild-level exercises program. Conclusion: The mild-level exercise program was very much effective and the elders had great interest to learn and to do the exercises to improve their gait, balance, and functional and to reduce the incidence of fall. Continuing nursing education programs can be conducted in hospitals and communities regarding the importance of low-intensity exercise programs in improving gait, balance, and functional status and in reducing the incidence of falls in elderly people.