Sensory-motor training targeting motor dysfunction and muscle weakness in long-term care elderly combined with motivational strategies: a single blind randomized controlled study.

Author: Rogan S1, Radlinger L2, Baur H2, Schmidtbleicher D3, de Bie RA4, de Bruin ED5
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Discipline Physiotherapy, Health, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Bern, Switzerland ; Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht, The Netherlands. <sup>2</sup>Discipline Physiotherapy, Health, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Bern, Switzerland. <sup>3</sup>Department of Sport Science, Wolfgang-Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany. <sup>4</sup>Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht, The Netherlands ; Centre for Evidence Based Physiotherapy, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. <sup>5</sup>Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht, The Netherlands ; Centre for Evidence Based Physiotherapy, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands ; Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute of Human Movement Sciences and Sport, ETH Zurich, Switzerland Wolfgang-Pauli-Str. 27, HIT J 31.2, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
Conference/Journal: Eur Rev Aging Phys Act.
Date published: 2016 May 28
Other: Volume ID: 13 , Pages: 4 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1186/s11556-016-0164-0. eCollection 2016. , Word Count: 325


BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the effects of a combined innovative training regime consisting of stochastic resonance whole-body vibration (SR-WBV) and a dance video game (DVG) on physical performance and muscle strength in long-term-care dwelling elderly.

METHODS: Thirthy long-term-care elderly were randomly allocated to an intervention group (IG; n = 16) receiving combined SR-WBV training and DVG, or a sham group (SG; n = 14). IG performed five sets one minute of SR-WBV, with one minute rest between sets (base frequency 3 Hz up to 6 Hz, Noise 4) during the first five weeks on three days per week. From week five to eight a DVG was added to SR-WBV for IG on three days per week. SG performed a five-set SR-WBV program (1 Hz, Noise 1) lasting five times one minute, with one minute rest in between, three days a week. From week five to eight stepping exercises on a trampoline were added on three days per week.

PRIMARY OUTCOME: Short physical performance battery (SPPB). Secondary outcome: isometric maximal voluntary contraction (IMVC), and sub phases of IMVC (Fsub), isometric rate of force development (IRFD) and sub time phases of IRFD (IRFDsub) were measured at baseline, after four and eight weeks. ANOVA with repeated measures was used for analyses of time and interaction effects and MANOVA determined between group intervention effects.

RESULTS: Between group effects revealed significant effects on the SPPB primary outcome after four weeks F(1, 27) = 6.17; p = 0.02) and after eight weeks F(1,27) = 11.8; p = 0.002). Secondary muscle function related outcome showed significant between group effects in IG on IRFD, Fsub 30 ms, 100 ms, 200 ms and IRFDsub 0-30 ms, 0-50 ms, 0-100 ms and 100-200 ms compared to SG (all p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Eight weeks SR-WBV and DVG intervention improved lower extremity physical function and muscle strength compared to a sham intervention in long-term-care elderly. SR-WBV and DVG seems to be effective as a training regime for skilling up in long-term-care elderly.

KEYWORDS: Long-term care; Motivational strategies; Motor dysfunction; Muscle weakness; Sensory-motor training

PMID: 27239241 [PubMed] Free full text