Our protocol resulted in a significant prevention of falls and fractures in addition to marked improvements in the balance function.
Intervention comprised a new balance exercise and quadriceps femoris exercise.
Subjects were outpatients aged >/=65 years old with musculoskeletal disorders
who had a result of </=15 s for the timed one-leg balance test. INTRODUCTION:
A study on chronological changes in the level of required care revealed that the
level of care increases markedly for older patients requiring non-intensive or
intensive long-term care. The aim of the present study was to identify frail
elderly patients among older patients with chronic pain of the musculoskeletal
system and to assess the fracture prevention and fall prevention effects of
exercise therapy using stratified analysis. METHODS: This was a prospective
cohort study consisting of 683 outpatients with chronic pain of the
musculoskeletal system who were >/=65 years old and had a result of </=15
s for the timed one-leg balance test with eyes open. Intervention consisted of a
new balance exercise and quadriceps femoris exercise regimen. The main outcome
was fall rate, while secondary outcomes were the results of the timed one-leg
balance test with eyes open and fracture rate. RESULTS: Fall rate was decreased
by 44% (p < 0.001) and fracture rate by 47% (p < 0.05) by 8 months after
the start of the intervention. The results of the timed one-leg balance testing
with eyes open improved two- to threefold after intervention (p < 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS: Our protocol has been safely implemented at a large number of
clinics in Japan, and the reductions in frequency of falls and fractures suggest
that it provides effective preventive care.
exercise fall and fracture to The for that in balance one-leg timed s care.
preventive effective provides it suggest fractures falls frequency reductions
Japan, clinics number large at implemented safely been has protocol Our
CONCLUSIONS: 0.01). < (p intervention after threefold two- improved open eyes
testing results intervention. start months 8 by 0.05) 47% rate 0.001) 44%
decreased Fall RESULTS: rate. test outcomes secondary while rate, outcome main
regimen. femoris quadriceps new consisted Intervention open. />