Effect of Community-Based Group Exercise Interventions on Standing Balance and Strength in Independent Living Older Adults.
Bader A Alqahtani, Patrick J Sparto, Susan L Whitney and 4 others
PMID 31592997WHAT IT FOUND
The task-oriented group exercise program was not clearly better than standard exercise for standing balance or strength, though both 12-week programs improved these outcomes more than the waitlist.
Key findings
01After adjustment, the task-oriented group did not show significant differences from the standard exercise group for balance or strength.
02Both exercise groups showed greater reductions in postural sway and greater increases in all 3 muscle groups than the waitlist group.
03The waitlist group showed a decrease in muscle strength ranging from −10.7% to −13.2% compared with the exercise groups.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
This was an ancillary study with a smaller sample than the parent trial, so it had limited power to detect differences between the two exercise programs. Only participants who completed both visits were analysed, and 24 of 131 dropped out after baseline. Participants were independent walkers aged 65 years or older with gait speed of at least 0.60 m/s, so findings may not apply to frailer or more limited older adults. The waitlist group started exercise after 12 weeks, but effects after that period were not reported. Falls were not measured, so the study does not show that either program prevents falls. Adherence was lower in the On the Move group, 64% versus 78% in the standard group, which may affect comparisons between programs.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study is listed as supported by NIH extramural and non-U.S. government research funds.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude the task-oriented program is superior to standard exercise. The adjusted comparisons for balance and strength did not show a significant difference, and falls were not measured.