TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2012//
TI  - Effects of exercise programs on balance in older women with age-related visual problems: A pilot study
JO  - Archives of gerontology and geriatrics
A1  - Kovacs, Eva
A1  - Tóth, Klára
A1  - Dénes, Lívia
A1  - Valasek, Tamás
A1  - Hazafi, Klára
A1  - Molnár, Gyöngyvér
A1  - Fehér-Kiss, Anna
SP  - 446
EP  - 452
VL  - 55
IS  - 2
N2  - Aim: This study aimed to compare the effects of two exercise programs on balance and risk of falls in older women with age-related visual dysfunction. Methods: Participants living in a residential home were randomly allocated to Group I (n=21) receiving a progressive, tailored multimodal exercise program in addition to the standard osteoporosis exercise program or Group II (n=20) receiving the standard osteoporosis exercise program alone. At baseline, and after the 6-month exercise program outcomes were measured. Results: After the exercise program there was significant between-group difference in favor of the Group I in Timed Up and Go (TUG) test (p=0.001), but not in Berg Balance score (p=0.130), and Barthel Activity Index (p=0.662). In Group I the risk of falls reduced by 46%, but this result was not significant (RR=0.54, 95% CI 0.294-1.007). The mean length of event-free time was significantly longer in the Group I than in Group II (18.5weeks, 95% CI 15.4-21.7 vs. 14.8weeks, 95% CI 11.1-18.4; p=0.049). Conclusion: If the current osteoporosis guideline is applied for older adults with low vision, it would be worthwhile putting more emphasis on the inclusion of patient-tailored strength and balance exercises to improve balance and potentially reduce the risk of falls.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0167-4943
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2012.01.009
ID  - ref1
ER  -