Effect of whole body vibration exercise in the horizontal direction on balance and fear of falling in elderly people: a pilot study.

Author: Shim C1, Lee Y2, Lee D3, Jeong B4, Kim J5, Choi Y6, Lee G7, Park DS8.
Affiliation:
1Department of Nurse, Chosun Nursing College, Republic of Korea. 2Department of Nurse, Dongseo University, Republic of Korea. 3Department of Physical Therapy, Hansol Medical Foundation Changwon Hanseo Hospital, Republic of Korea ; Department of Physical Therapy, Kyungnam University, Republic of Korea. 4Department of Physical Therapy, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Republic of Korea. 5Department of Occupational Therapy, Jinhae Public Seobu Health Subcenter, Republic of Korea. 6Department of Physical Therapy, Happy Hospital, Republic of Korea. 7Department of Physical Therapy, Kyungnam University, Republic of Korea. 8Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Republic of Korea.
Conference/Journal: J Phys Ther Sci.
Date published: 2014 Jul
Other: Volume ID: 26 , Issue ID: 7 , Pages: 1083-6 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1589/jpts.26.1083 , Word Count: 176


Abstract
[Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of whole body vibration exercise in the horizontal direction on balance and fear of falling in the elderly. [Methods] This study was a case series of 17 elderly individuals. Participants performed whole body vibration exercise in the horizontal direction using a whole body vibration device for 15 minutes a day, 3 times a week, for 6 weeks. At baseline and after the 6-week intervention, balance was measured using the Berg Balance Scale and Timed Up and Go test, and fear of falling was assessed using the Falls Efficacy Scale. [Results] After the intervention, significant improvements from baseline values in the Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go test, and Falls Efficacy Scale were observed in the study participants. [Conclusion] Elderly individuals who performed whole body vibration exercise in the horizontal direction showed significant improvements in balance and fear of falling. However, the observed benefits of whole body vibration exercise in the horizontal direction need to be confirmed by additional studies.
KEYWORDS:
Balance; Elderly; Whole body vibration

PMID: 25140102

BACK