Ashari Asmidawati, Hamid Tengku Aizan, Hussain Mohd Rizal, Hill Keith David
From the School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia (AA, KDH); and Institute of Gerontology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia (AA, TAH, MRH).
Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2016 May;95(5):355-65. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000000388.
This study evaluated the effectiveness of an individualized home-based exercise program that included specific turning exercises in improving turning performance in adults identified as having unsteadiness during turning.
A single-blind (assessors) randomized controlled trial was conducted with 68 community-dwelling Malaysians aged 50 yrs and older, who had abnormal turning performance (outside of age and sex, normal limits on the Step/Quick Turn Test [180-degree turn task on the NeuroCom Balance Master with long plate]). The intervention group received a 16-wk home exercise program that included two turning exercises, whereas the control group maintained their usual activities.
Significant group × time effects were found using two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance for turning and balance/mobility measures. The intervention group significantly improved relative to the control group for (1) sway when turning 180 degrees Step/Quick Turn, F1,65 = 8.070, P = 0.006; (2) time to perform 180-degree turn Step/Quick Turn, F1,65 = 8.216, P = 0.006; (3) Timed Up and Go (single task), F1,65 = 6.647, P = 0.012; (4) Timed Up and Go (dual task), F1,65 = 8.301, P = 0.005; and (5) static stance sway, F1,65 = 10.491, P = 0.002.
An individualized home exercise program that included specific exercises to improve turning ability was effective in improving turning performance in adults older than 50 yrs.
