Effects of home-based specific and comprehensive balance-training programs on balance and functional status in healthy older adults.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The elderly population is increasing worldwide, and the decline in physical function resulting from this is a critical issue that, especially, leads to a disorder of balance. To investigate the effect of home-based specific and comprehensive balance training on balance and functional status in older adults. METHODS: Forty elderly men were randomized to conditions specific (n = 13) and comprehensive (n = 14) balance training or control (n = 13). The exercises were performed individually at each subject's home three times a week for ten weeks. The BESTest total and subsection scores, Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) score, gait speed, timed-up-and-go (TUG), and functional gait assessment were evaluated at baseline, immediately after training and at 4-week follow-up. RESULTS: After the intervention, both intervention groups showed more significant improvements than the control group in all variables except section II of BESTest. At follow-up, significantly more gains than control were observed in all variables except section II of BESTest in the specific group and sections II and III in the comprehensive group. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide evidence that these home-based balance training regimens can enhance balance and functional status in aged individuals. Therefore, at present, because of the coronavirus disease 19 stay-at-home restrictions, it seems that these interventions are applicable strategies for the elderly when access to facilities or opportunities for physical activity outside the home is restricted for all ages, especially the elderly.