Balance In Elderly Individuals Research Articles

Effectiveness of weighted torso balance training as an adjunct to conventional balance training on anticipatory and reactive balance in elderly individuals: An experimental study

Background: Most of falls in elderly occur in the event of unexpected external perturbations. For this reason the Anticipatory and Reactive balance should be emphasized upon. Weighted torso balance training (WTBT), though a novel concept, has proved its merit on improving balance in patients with neurological deficits like Stroke, MS etc. This study thus aims towards determining the effectiveness of WTBT on anticipatory and reactive balance in elderly individuals.Subjects and Methods: In this comparative study, 36 patients aging 60-75 yrs and those meeting the selection criteria were selected. Anticipatory and reactive balance was measured using MiniBESTest. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups. Both groups received comprehensive balance training 3 times a week for 3 weeks. The experimental group performed the same exercises while wearing a weighted vest. MiniBESTest was administered post 3 weeks of exercises, data upon checking for normalcy, was analyzed using t-test.Results: Within group analysis of 33 subjects (3 dropouts) for MiniBESTest and its 4 sub components showed statistically significant results (p<0.01) for both groups. Between group analysis showed that WTBT was statistically more significant (p<0.0001) than conventional balance training in improving anticipatory balance, reactive balance, sensory orientation and overall MiniBESTest scores. Conclusion: This study concluded that WTBT as an adjunct to conventional balance training is more effective than conventional balance training alone in improving anticipatory and reactive balance in elderly individuals.

Impact of pool training on balance of elderly individuals.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of therapeutic pool training on static and dynamic balance of sedentary elderlies. Method: 10 elderly individuals took part in the study (63.10 ± 2.33 years), and they were submitted to 24 sessions of intervention, twice a week. The assessment tools were the Balance System, Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) and the Berg Balance System (BBS). Results: The results showed that there was a significant decrease in the global postural stability, anterior/posterior and medial/lateral scores evaluated in the dynamic platform, as well as the static global postural stability score, reduction in time to perform the TUGT and increase in the Berg Balance System score. However, no significant differences were verified in the Postural Stability tests (anterior/posterior and medial/lateral with the static platform) and in the Fall Risk. Conclusion: The regular physical training in therapeutic pool can provide sedentary elderly individuals with a significant improvement in dynamic balance.

Evaluation of Immediate Interference After Intervention With Double Tasks in Elderly Individuals

This study investigated the immediate effects of an intervention with dual tasks on balance in elderly individuals. Eight tests and an evaluation on a force platform were used. The subjects were divided into 2 groups; one was subjected to an intervention proposal with double tasks and the other with simple tasks. After the intervention, the double-task group maintained its performance in the tests and showed improvement in the cognitive performance of some activities during posturography. The simple-task group required more time for simple and motor Timed Up and Go tests, and there was no increase in cognitive performance or postural control.

Posturographic Analysis in the Elderly with and without sensorineural Hearing Loss.

Introduction Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a serious public health problem. Some evidence suggests a significant relationship between SNHL and balance disorders. The inability to maintain balance associated with SNHL while standing further increases the risk of falls among older people. Objective To investigate the association between SNHL on the postural balance in elderly individuals of both genders. Methods The sample consisted of 247 (166 women) physically independent elderly individuals, (mean age = 68.4 ± 6.0). The instruments used were the anamnesis and the pure tone audiometry for hearing loss, and for balance a force platform based in measures of center of pressure area and of sway velocity in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions. Results Presence of hearing loss (HL) was observed in 68% of the participants. We observed a significant association between SNHL and characteristics of balance between the groups with and without HL for center of pressure (COP) area ( p = 0.010), anteroposterior velocity ( p = 0.001) and mediolateral velocity ( p = 0.020). There was a significant difference between the gender groups for center of pressure area ( p = 0.004), anteroposterior velocity ( p = 0.001) and mediolateral velocity ( p = 0.001) with better performance in the female group. Amongst men, there was a difference between the ones with HL and those without it, for COP area ( p = 0.049). Conclusion In the present study, elderly individuals with SNHL exhibited more instability on the postural balance, and elderly men presented worse results in the test.

Effect of Yoga on Balance in Geriatric Population

Background : The geriatric population is defined as population aged 60 years and above. (1)During this age many of the systems undergo deterioration. Balance problems in elderly are most commonly due to multi factorial condition which may include age related or disease-related declines in the balance system. Research shows that altered balance is the greatest collaborator towards falls in the elderly with a high correlation between balance deficit and the incidence of falls. Iyengar yoga, one of the active, or Hatha, yoga techniques, is a system for developing physical and mental well-being through stretching of all muscle groups for strength, flexibility, and physical balance. Yoga as a complementary therapy is thought to be more therapeutic than traditional exercise because it involves active engagement between mind and body. Its practice has been associated with increased muscle strength, endurance, flexibility, range of motion and cardiopulmonary endurance. It mainly works on increasing body awareness and proprioception, which will lead to improvement of balance in older adults. Objectives: To compare pre and post score of Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction in Balance (CTSIB-M). To compare pre and post score of Time up and go test. Materials and Methodology: This was an experimental study that included 40 participants, healthy older adults between the age group 60-75 years, both male and female. The subjects were randomly divided in to 2 groups; Group A was the experimental group whereas group B was the control group. The experimental group was made to perform yogasanas for the duration of four weeks for 5 times a week whereas the control group was not given any intervention. Result and Conclusion: The study conducted concludes that yogasanas are effective in improving balance in elderly individuals at the end of four weeks compared to control group. Thus, it can be used clinically to improve balance in geriatric population.

Association of Ultrasonographic Measurements of Upper Arm and Thigh Muscle Thickness with Functional Capacity and Balance in Elderly Individuals

Association of Ultrasonographic Measurements of Upper Arm and Thigh Muscle Thickness with Functional Capacity and Balance in Elderly Individuals

Foot Reflexotherapy Induces Analgesia in Elderly Individuals with Low Back Pain: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Pilot Study.

Introduction This study evaluated the effects of foot reflexotherapy on pain and postural balance in elderly individuals with low back pain. Design Randomized, controlled pilot study. Participants (n = 20) were randomly assigned to 2 groups: individuals submitted to conventional foot massage (control group) or foot reflexotherapy (RT, intervention group) for a period of 5 weeks. Questionnaires on pain and disability (visual analogue scale [VAS] and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire [RMDQ]), heart rate variability, and orthostatic balance and baropodometric analysis were assessed at two intervals: before and after intervention. Results RT group showed statistically significant differences when compared to control group in the following parameters: decrease in VAS scores for pain throughout the study, decrease in parasympathetic activity, and improvement in RMDQ scores. The two groups did not statistically differ in either orthostatic balance or baropodometric analyses. Conclusion This study demonstrated that foot reflexotherapy induced analgesia but did not affect postural balance in elderly individuals with low back pain.

The Influence of Body Mass Index on Functional Mobility and Balance in Elderly Individuals

The Influence of Body Mass Index on Functional Mobility and Balance in Elderly Individuals

Influence of sensory information on static balance in older patients with vestibular disorder

IntroductionWith aging, the sensory systems suffer an accumulation of degenerative, infectious and/or traumatic processes that may hinder the body balance maintenance. ObjectiveTo assess the influence of sensory information on static body balance of elderly individuals with vestibular disorders. MethodsCross-sectional study of elderly individuals with vestibular disorders. The Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance and posturography integrated with virtual reality (Balance Rehabilitation Unit™) were used. Posturography parameters analyzed included center of pressure and velocity of body sway. Results123 individuals with mean age of 73.11 were assessed. Worst performance was observed in the Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance condition of visual dome-unstable surface. Differences between conditions were: firm surface-open eyes/firm surface-closed eyes, unstable surface-open eyes/unstable surface-closed eyes (p<0.001), and unstable surface-closed eyes/unstable surface-visual dome. Considering center of pressure and velocity of body sway, significant differences were observed between the following conditions: firm surface-open eyes/firm surface-closed eyes: firm surface-saccadic stimulus/firm surface-vertical optokinetic stimulus; firm surface-optokinetic stimuli/firm surface-visual–vestibular interaction; and firm surface-visual–vestibular interaction/unstable surface. Worse performances were observed in conditions firm surface-closed eyes, firm surface-vertical optokinetic stimulus, F-visual–vestibular interaction, and unstable surface-closed eyes. There was a difference in the center of pressure between firm surface-closed eyes/firm surface-saccadic stimulus, with a worse performance in the condition of firm surface-closed eyes, and of velocity of body sway, between firm surface-saccadic stimulus/firm surface-horizontal optokinetic stimulus (p<0.001). ConclusionStatic body balance in elderly individuals with vestibular disorders is worse when the sensory conditions are more challenging, i.e. stable and unstable surfaces, visual stimuli, such as optokinetic and visual–vestibular interaction, and with the eyes closed.

Acute exercise effects on balance outcome measures in healthy older adults: Preliminary results

Approximately one third of Canadian seniors experience a fall each year and one quarter suffer serious injuries as a result. Preventative exercise programs are commonly recommended; however, the current methods used to assess the risk associated with these programs do not include the effects of exercise on fall risk. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of acute exercise on balance in elderly individuals. We hypothesized that acute exercise in healthy seniors would negatively affect balance outcome measures in those seniors who had a prior history of at least one fall in the past year. During the study participants were separated into two groups: those who had experienced a fall in the last year (fallers) and those who had not (non-fallers). All participants underwent static and dynamic tests to determine balance outcome measures under fatigued and control (non-fatigued) conditions. To represent the fatigued condition, the Naughton treadmill protocol was used to safely increase heart rate to 60-69% HRmax. Although it was expected that performance in the balance outcome measures would be adversely affected by the acute exercise bout in patients at a high risk of falling, conclusive results could not be drawn as the data collected were all from participants who had not experienced a fall within the past year. However, preliminary results are presented for data collected from six participants classified as non-fallers.&#x0D; &#x0D; Keywords: acute exercise; balance; fall risk; older adults

Impact of Aging on Balance and Pattern of Muscle Activation in Elderly Women from Different Age Groups

Aging causes deterioration in the sensory systems and changes the pattern of muscle activation, which impairs balance in elderly individuals compared to young adults. A few studies have investigated the influence of such changes throughout the aging process by analyzing the postural control at different age. The aim of this study is to evaluate static and dynamic balance as well as the pattern of muscle activation in elderly women from different age groups. A total of 57 women were divided into three groups according to their age: Group 1 ( n = 17) 60–64 years, Group 2 ( n = 20) 65–69 years and Group 3 ( n = 20) 70–74 years. The pattern of muscle activation in the lower limbs (vastus lateralis, tibialis anterior, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius lateralis muscles), displacement and velocity of center of pressure were analyzed during static posture and during the tasks of standing up from a seated position and sitting down from a standing position. The results showed no differences between the groups in terms of balance or pattern of muscle activation. The women from the three age groups presented similar displacement and velocity of center of pressure and pattern of muscle activation during static posture and during the tasks of standing up from a seated position and sitting down from a standing position. The postural control performed by elderly women is not entirely related to their age.

Effects of whole-body vibration on postural control in elderly: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundThis systematic review was performed to summarize the current evidence for whole body vibration (WBV) interventions on postural control in elderly.MethodsEnglish and German language papers in Medline, PEDro, Cinahl and the Cochrane databases were searched. Two reviewers extracted data on patients' characteristics, type of WBV intervention and outcomes. Two independent reviewers rated the methodological quality of these studies. Data were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis.ResultsFifteen papers reporting quantitative data were included. Results from 15 papers could be pooled for a meta-analysis. The studies involved 933 participants. In 7 studies the authors investigated the effects of vibration plates generating vertical sinusoidal vibrations (VS-WBV) and 7 papers described the use of side-alternating sinusoidal vibrations (SS-WBV). One study investigated both VS-WBV and SS-WBV.Weak to moderate evidence of an overall effect as a result of VS-WBV and SS-WBV was observed for (a) static balance for post-intervention values with a standardized mean difference (SMD) -0.06, 95% CI -0.31 to 0.18 and for change values SMD -0.26, 95% CI -1.09 to 0.57, and (b) dynamic balance for post-intervention-values SMD -0.34, 95% CI -0.60 to -0.08. For functional balance (c) an overall outcome for post-intervention values with SMD of 0.34, 95% CI -0.19 to 0.87 was found.ConclusionsThe 15 studies reviewed were of moderate methodological quality. In summary, SS-WBV seems to have a beneficial effect on dynamic balance in elderly individuals. However, the current results should be interpreted with caution because of the observed heterogeneity of training parameters and statistical methods. Future studies are warranted to evaluate the effects of WBV on postural control in an elderly population.

Balance, executive functions and falls in elderly with Alzheimer's disease (AD): A longitudinal study

Elderly individuals with AD are more susceptible to falls, which might be associated with decrements in their executive functions and balance, among other things. We aimed to analyze the effects of a program of dual task physical activity on falls, executive functions and balance of elderly individuals with AD. We studied 21 elderly with probable AD, allocated to two groups: the training group (TG), with 10 elderly who participated in a program of dual task physical activity; and the control group (CG), with 11 elderly who were not engaged in regular practice of physical activity. The Clock Drawing Test (CDT) and the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) were used in the assessment of the executive functions, while the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Timed Up-and-Go (TUG)-test evaluated balance. The number of falls was obtained by means of a questionnaire. We observed a better performance of the TG as regards balance and executive functions. Moreover, the lower the number of steps in the TUG scale, the higher the scores in the CDT, and in the FAB. The practice of regular physical activity with dual task seems to have contributed to the maintenance and improvement of the motor and cognitive functions of the elderly with AD.

Stationary balance of elderly individuals after gait training

Stationary balance of elderly individuals after gait training

Measures of Dynamic Balance in Older Adults After Six Weeks of Strength and Balance Training.

SCIENTIFIC ABSTRACT: Aging is associated with many decreases in the performance variables on functional ability. One of these changes that occur in the elderly is a decrease in dynamic balance, which can lead to an increased risk of falls in this population. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects that physical activity has on dynamic balance in elderly individuals. METHODS: Participants were assigned to either a control group (C), strength training group (ST), balance training group (BT) or a group that combined both strength training and balance training (SAB). Participants volunteered to enter into a six week supervised training program. The Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale (FAB-Scale) was assessed before (PRE) and after the six week training period (POST). Data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA on the delta values from baseline (p < 0.05). RESULTS: A significant main effect for time (PRE vs. POST) was observed for the dependent variable FAB-Scale (p<0.010). Post-hoc results revealed that FAB-Scale scores were significantly improved in the SAB compared to the control group (p<0.001), but only showed a trend for significance over the ST (p=0.07) and BT (p=0.09) groups. Neither the ST or BT groups showed significant improvement compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: This study presents evidence that while both strength training and balance training can increase dynamic balance, a combination of the two training techniques is significantly effective at improving dynamic balance. It is also notable that all training groups showed some improvements in balance and mobility after just six weeks of training.

Tai Chi improves balance in elderly individuals

Tai Chi improves balance in elderly individuals

The influence of dynamic visual environments on postural sway in the elderly

Postural sway during stance has been found to be sensitive to moving visual scenes in young adults, children, and those with vestibular disease. The effect of visual environments on balance in elderly individuals is relatively unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare postural sway responses of healthy elderly to those of young subjects when both groups were exposed to a moving visual scene. Peak to peak, root mean squared, and mean velocity of the center of pressure were analyzed under conditions combining four moving scene amplitudes (2.5o, 5o, 7.5o, 10o) and two frequencies of scene movement (0.1 Hz, 0.25 Hz). Each visual condition was tested with a fixed floor and sway referenced platform. Results showed that elderly subjects swayed more than younger subjects when experiencing a moving visual scene under all conditions. The elderly were affected more than the young be sway referencing the platform. The differences between the two age groups were greater at increased amplitudes of scene movement. These results suggest that elderly are more influenced by dynamic visual information for balance than the young, particularly when cues from the ankles are altered.

Gait and Balance in the Elderly: Two Functional Capacities That Link Sensory and Motor Ability to Falls

Neuromuscular function, which underlies efficient gait and balance, deteriorates with age and disease. A review of the literature and of data from the current study suggests the presence of poor gait and balance in elderly individuals who have a history of multiple falls. The tests of gait and balance are simple to perform and therefore may be widely applicable in evaluating individuals at risk of falls. Quantitative studies of motor and sensory function, vibratory sensation, and electrophysiologic studies of nerve integrity are discussed. Deteriorating motor and sensory control mechanisms appear to play an important role in falling.

The influence of some hormonal substances on the nitrogen balance and clinical state of elderly patients.

OUR early studies (1, 2, 3) on protein metabolism and nitrogen balance in elderly individuals have indicated that they are in less stable equilibrium than are young adults. Elderly subjects require a relatively larger amount of protein to maintain nitrogen balance and this balance is more readily disturbed by physiologic stress. It has also been found that when the balance is disturbed, a longer period of time is required to reestablish equilibrium. We have recently indicated (4) that it is not always possible to obtain a satisfactory protein intake in elderly individuals. The use of proteincontaining foods such as meat, eggs and milk to secure a higher protein intake, may be difficult. Patients may not tolerate the higher protein diet for the required length of time. We found, in fact, that in some instances attempts to increase the protein intake markedly, actually resulted in a decrease in the amount of total protein consumed. An alternative to increasing the protein consumption was to find a means of ...