Article

Objective: To evaluate the long-term effects of a progressive and specific
balance group-based program in healthy elderly individuals with increased risk of
falling. Design: Follow-up of a randomized controlled trial at nine and 15 months
on a population that has previously been described at three months.
The study was conducted in Stockholm, Sweden. Subjects:
59 community-dwelling elderly
(age 67-93 years), recruited by advertisement, were randomly allocated to
training or to serve as controls. Intervention: Group balance training three
times per week during 12 weeks with a 15 month follow-up time. Main measures:
Participants were assessed at baseline, three, nine, and 15 months thereafter for
gait function (preferred and fast walking), rapid step execution (single and dual
task), fear of falling, and likelihood of depression. Results: Fast gait speed (p
= 0.004), dual task step execution (p = 0.006) and fear of falling (p = 0.001)
were still improved in the training group at nine months follow-up. Only
self-perceived fear of falling remained significantly improved (p = 0.012) at 15
months follow-up. Although fast gait speed had decreased to baseline level in the
training group (1.49 m/s) it remained significantly higher than in the control
group (1.37 m/s) at the end of the study, a difference between the groups that
was not seen at baseline. Conclusion: This training program provided important
positive short and long-term benefits to gait, balance function, and fear of
falling.

Langue : ANGLAIS