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Abstract
Introduction: Intrinsic foot muscle weakness is a crucial cause of balance deficit in the elderly, which leads to a limited range of motion from the fear of falling and subsequently decreases the quality of life. Muscle strengthening via transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) is an effective intervention; however, its effects on elderly people have rarely been reported. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of TENS on navicular height, balance, and fear of falling. Method: In this study, forty-eight participants aged 65–75 years were included and were randomly divided into two groups: the TENS and control groups. Before and after 4 weeks of training, navicular height, balance, and fear of falling were measured. Result: After 4 weeks of training, navicular height significantly increased in both groups (p < 0.05); however, the increase was higher in the TENS group (p = 0.035). The TENS group had a better improvement in balance in all four directions—front, back, left, and right (p < 0.05). However, postural balance improvements in the control group were observed in three directions only—front, back, and left (p < 0.05)—without any significant difference between the two groups. Furthermore, the TENS group decreased the scale of fear of falling after 4 weeks of training (p = 0.039). Conclusion: In summary, the results of this study can be used as part of the muscle strengthening via ES for decreasing the risk of falls or fear of falling in the elderly.
Highlights
Intrinsic foot muscle weakness is a crucial cause of balance deficit in the elderly, which leads to a limited range of motion from the fear of falling and subsequently decreases the quality of life
The participants were divided into two groups: 4 weeks’ transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) group and exercise control (CON) group
The navicular height measured using the navicular drop test (NDT) was lower after 4 weeks of training in both groups (F(1,23) = 42.24; p < 0.001; ES = 0.48) (Table 1), and the interaction effect was found (F(1,23) = 8.44; p = 0.006; ES = 0.16)
Summary
Intrinsic foot muscle weakness is a crucial cause of balance deficit in the elderly, which leads to a limited range of motion from the fear of falling and subsequently decreases the quality of life. People are gradually aging worldwide, and the degeneration process associated with age causes several health problems, especially an increase in the risk of falls by approximately 30% for older adults over 65 years and by approximately 40% for individuals over 70 years [1]. Falls are a health-related condition in this age and can cause many severe injuries and disabilities, which could lead to death. Once they have had any fall experience, elderly individuals usually suffer fear of falling, and this occurs linearly with age. Elderly individuals who have had fall experiences have 29–92% of fear of falling, and those who have never had fall experiences have 12–65% of fear of falling [2]
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