Comparing the effects of anticipatory postural adjustments focused training and balance training on postural preparation, balance confidence and quality of life in elderly with history of a fall

Abstract

Background: Impairment of postural adjustments in elderly is associated with decreased functional mobility, balance confidence and quality of life.

Aims: We studied the effects of anticipatory postural adjustments focused training on postural preparation, balance confidence and quality of life of the elderly.

Methods: It was a single-blind randomized controlled trial. The sample included 60 males with history of falling (at least once in the past 6 months). They were matched and randomly assigned into three groups: perturbation, balance, and no training. The electrical activity of the muscles was measured by electromyography. The Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale and the SF-36 questionnaire were used to assess balance confidence and quality of life, respectively. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used for data analysis (significant level 0.05).

Results: The type of training had significant interaction effect on muscle latency (F_{(2, 46)} ≥ 71.06, P ≤ 0.001, η² ≥ 0.75). Compared to the other two groups, perturbation training group showed significantly more improvement in ABC scale (F_{(2, 46)} = 14.94, P ≤ 0.000, η² ≥ 0.39). It also significantly showed more improvement than no training group in all areas of SF-36 questionnaire, except for mental health (F_{(2, 46)} ≥ 6.56, P ≤ 0.03, η² ≥ 0.22).

Conclusions: Our findings support the use of perturbation training, as it reduced the probability of falling (by decreasing muscle latency and increasing posture preparation), improved the balance confidence for daily activities, and improved the quality of life.

Keywords: ABC scale; Electromyography; Exercise rehabilitation; Fall prevention; Postural adjustments; SF-36.