Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether a comprehensive exercise program was effective
in improving physical function among institutionalized older adults and whether
adding whole-body vibration to the program conferred additional therapeutic
benefits. DESIGN: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted.
SETTING: This study was carried out in residential care units. PARTICIPANTS: In
total, 73 older adults (40 women, mean age: 82.3 +/- 7.3 years) were enrolled
into this study. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomly allocated to one of
the three groups: strength and balance program combined with whole-body
vibration, strength and balance program without whole-body vibration, and social
and recreational activities consisting of upper limb exercises only. All
participants completed three training sessions per week for eight weeks. OUTCOME
MEASURES: Assessment of mobility, balance, lower limb strength, walking
endurance, and self-perceived balance confidence were conducted at baseline and
immediately after the eight-week intervention. Incidences of falls requiring
medical attention were recorded for one year after the end of the training
period. RESULTS: A significant time x group interaction was found for lower limb
strength (five-times-sit-to-stand test; P = 0.048), with the exercise-only group
showing improvement (pretest: 35.8 +/- 16.1 seconds; posttest: 29.0 +/- 9.8
seconds), compared with a decline in strength among controls (pretest: 27.1 +/-
10.4 seconds; posttest: 28.7 +/- 12.3 seconds; P = 0.030). The exercise with
whole-body vibration group had a significantly better outcome in balance
confidence (pretest: 39.2 +/- 29.0; posttest: 48.4 +/- 30.6) than the
exercise-only group (pretest: 35.9 +/- 24.8; posttest: 38.2 +/- 26.5; P = 0.033).
CONCLUSION: The exercise program was effective in improving lower limb strength
among institutionalized older adults but adding whole-body vibration did not
enhance its effect. Whole-body vibration may improve balance confidence without
enhancing actual balance performance.

Langue : ANGLAIS