Article

PURPOSE: To evaluate effects of combined mechano- and proprioceptive, vestibular
and fall-prevention training on postural control, functional ability, confidence
in activities of daily living (ADL) and frequency of falls among unsteady elderly
people. METHOD: Subjects were 37 elderly outpatients attending physiotherapy
because of instability. Treatment consisted of 18 multisensory balance training
sessions. RESULTS from Sensory Organization Test, Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand Test,
30-m normal and fast walk with a turn, Ascending-Descending 11 steps and
Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale were compared before and after
training. Information was gathered about number of falls 1 year prior to
training, during training period and for 6 months after completion of training.
RESULTS: Significant improvement was observed in all measured parameters (p <
0.001). The subjects aged between 70 and 92 years (mean age 80.8 years), had
considerable medical history. Thirty four of them reported 159 falls in the year
prior to the study. Six subjects reported seven falls during the training period
and seven subjects reported 17 falls in the 6 months follow-up period.
CONCLUSIONS: Combined vestibular, proprioceptive and fall-prevention training
improve postural control, functional ability, confidence in ADL and might even
decrease the risk of falling among elderly people.

Langue : ANGLAIS