Article

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of a group-based functional and specific
balance training programme that included dual-task exercises on balance function
in healthy older adults.
DESIGN: A single-blind randomized controlled trial.
SETTING: General community. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-six community-dwelling older
adults (age 77.0 +/- 6.5 years), without functional balance impairment were
recruited and allocated at random to an intervention group (n = 33) or a
reference group (n = 33). INTERVENTION: The intervention group received 24
training sessions over three months that included perturbation as well as
dual-task exercises. The reference group received no intervention. OUTCOME
MEASURES: The voluntary step execution times during single- and dual-task
conditions, stabilogram-diffusion analysis in upright standing, and self-reported
physical function; all were measured assessed at baseline and at the end of
intervention. The intervention group was retested after six months. RESULTS:
Compared with the reference group, participation in group-based functional and
specific balance training led to faster voluntary step execution times under
single-task (P = 0.02; effect size (ES) = 0.34) and dual-task (P = 0.036; ES =
0.55) conditions; lower transition displacement and shorter transition time of
the stabilogram-diffusion analysis under eyes-closed conditions (P = 0.007, ES =
0.30 and P = 0.08, ES = 0.44, respectively); and improved self-reported lower
extremity function (P = 0.006, ES = 0.37). Effects were lost at six-month
follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Functional and specific balance training can improve
voluntary stepping and balance control in healthy older non-fallers, parameters
previously found to be related to increased risk of falls and injury in older adults.

Langue : ANGLAIS