Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate long-term effects of balance-training on concerns about
falling, gait, balance performance, and physical function in older adults with
osteoporosis and increased risk of falling. DESIGN:
Randomized controlled trial,
including three groups (training, training+physical activity, and control group),
with follow-ups at three, nine, and 15 months. Short-term, three-month follow-up,
benefits for those who fulfilled the first follow-up ( n = 69) have previously
been reported.
SETTING: Stockholm, Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 96 elderly,
age 66-87, with verified osteoporosis. INTERVENTIONS: Balance-training programme
including dual- and multitasks, with or without supplementary physical activity,
three times/week over 12 weeks. MEASUREMENTS: Concerns about falling Falls
Efficacy Scale -International (FES-I), walking at preferred speed with and
without a cognitive dual-task and at fast speed, balance tests (one-leg stance
and modified figure-of-eight), and physical function Late-Life Function and
Disability Instrument (LLFDI). RESULTS: Participants in the training group
maintained positive effects throughout the study period for concerns about
falling (baseline vs. 15 months, median 27.5 vs. 23 points, p < 0.001) and
walking performance (baseline vs. 15 months, p 0.05 with an improvement of
0.9-1.4 m/s). The Training+physical activity group declined to baseline values at
the nine-month follow-up, and were even lower at the 15-month follow-up for
concerns about falling (median 26 vs. 26 points), walking performance (changes of
-0.02 to 0.04 m/s), and physical function (mean 44.0 vs. 42.9 points). The control group remained unchanged throughout the study period.
CONCLUSIONS: This
balance-training programme reduced concerns about falling, and also improved gait
in older adults with osteoporosis and increased risk of falling in a long-term perspective - important issues for fall prevention.

Langue : ANGLAIS