Citation

Sobhani S, Sinaei E, Motealleh A, Hooshyar F, Kashkooli NS, Yoosefinejad AK. Arch. Gerontol. Geriatr. 2018; 78: 30-37.

Affiliation

Department of Physical Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Rehabilitation Sciences Research Centre, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Electronic address: yoosefinejad@sums.ac.ir.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.archger.2018.05.016

PMID

29883807

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of 4 weeks of whole body vibration training on balance in older adults who word two different types of shoes: unstable (unstable group) versus standard shoes (stable group).

DESIGN: Randomized, single-blind clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy eight eligible older adults were initially enrolled; 59 participants (mean age 69.7±5.3 years) completed the program. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomized 1:1 to an intervention group that received whole body vibration with unstable shoes, and a control group that received whole body vibration with standard shoes. OUTCOME MEASURES: The Fullerton Advanced Balance scale, preferred gait speed, maximum gait speed, and Fall Efficacy Scale were recorded at baseline, after the 4-week intervention, and 1 month after the end of the training program.

RESULTS: Both groups showed improvement in all outcome measures at 4 weeks (p < 0.01) with no significant between-group differences. In the unstable group, the gains were maintained at follow-up (p < 0.01) whereas the scores returned to baseline values in the stable group. At follow-up, significant between-group differences were found for Fullerton Advanced Balance scale (p < 0.001), preferred gait speed (p = 0.007) and maximum gait speed (p = 0.007), and all were in favor of the unstable group.

CONCLUSION: Combining whole body vibration with unstable shoes can be proposed as a beneficial method with relatively long-term effects to improve balance measures in older people.

Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Aging; Exercise therapy; Footwear; Postural control; Vibration therapy