Citation

Park JH. Arch. Gerontol. Geriatr. 2016; 68: 181-185.

Affiliation

Department of Occupational Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University, Wonju, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: roophy@naver.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.archger.2016.10.006

PMID

27835770

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of eyeball exercise on balance and fall efficacy of the elderly who have experienced a fall. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Subjects were randomly assigned to the eyeball exercise group (n=30) or functional exercise group (n=31). All subjects received 30 sessions for 10 weeks. To identify the effects on balance, static and dynamic balance were measured using the center of pressure (CoP) measurement equipment and Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) respectively. Fall efficacy was evaluated using the modified efficacy scale (MFES). The outcome measurements were performed before and after the 10 weeks training period.

RESULTS: After 10 weeks, static balance, dynamic balance, and fall efficacy were significantly improved in both groups. Also, there were significant differences in the outcome measures between both groups (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that eyeball exercise is beneficial to improve the fall efficacy as well as the balance of the elderly compared with functional exercise. Eyeball exercise would be useful to improve balance and fall efficacy of the elderly who have experienced a fall.

Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: en