Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, National Center for Geriatrics Gerontology, Obu, Aichi, Japan.
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine 1, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan.
Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2017 Nov;17(11):1982-1990. doi: 10.1111/ggi.13009. Epub 2017 Mar 10.
To examine the efficacy of postural strategy training using a balance exercise assist robot (BEAR) as compared with conventional balance training for frail older adults.
The present study was designed as a cross-over trial without a washout term. A total of 27 community-dwelling frail or prefrail elderly residents (7 men, 20 women; age range 65-85 years) were selected from a volunteer sample. Two exercises were prepared for interventions: robotic exercise moving the center of gravity by the balance exercise assist robot system; and conventional balance training combining muscle-strengthening exercise, postural strategy training and applied motion exercise. Each exercise was carried out twice a week for 6 weeks. Participants were allocated randomly to either the robotic exercise first group or the conventional balance exercise first group.
preferred and maximal gait speeds, tandem gait speeds, timed up-and-go test, functional reach test, functional base of support, center of pressure, and muscle strength of the lower extremities were assessed before and after completion of each exercise program.
Robotic exercise achieved significant improvements for tandem gait speed (P = 0.012), functional reach test (P = 0.002), timed up-and-go test (P = 0.023) and muscle strength of the lower extremities (P = 0.001-0.030) compared with conventional exercise.
In frail or prefrail older adults, robotic exercise was more effective for improving dynamic balance and lower extremity muscle strength than conventional exercise. These findings suggest that postural strategy training with the balance exercise assist robot is effective to improve the gait instability and muscle weakness often seen in frail older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1982-1990.
与传统平衡训练相比，使用平衡运动辅助机器人（BEAR）进行姿势策略训练对虚弱的老年人的疗效。
本研究设计为无洗脱期的交叉试验。从志愿者样本中选择了 27 名居住在社区的虚弱或虚弱前的老年人（7 名男性，20 名女性；年龄 65-85 岁）。准备了两种运动进行干预：通过平衡运动辅助机器人系统移动重心的机器人运动；以及结合肌肉强化运动、姿势策略训练和应用运动的传统平衡训练。每周进行两次，共进行 6 周。参与者被随机分配到机器人运动组或传统平衡运动组。
在完成每个运动方案前后评估了首选和最大步速、串联步速、起立-行走测试、功能性伸手测试、功能性支撑基础、中心压力和下肢肌肉力量。
与传统运动相比，机器人运动在串联步速（P = 0.012）、功能性伸手测试（P = 0.002）、起立-行走测试（P = 0.023）和下肢肌肉力量（P = 0.001-0.030）方面均有显著改善。
在虚弱或虚弱前的老年人中，与传统运动相比，机器人运动更有效地改善动态平衡和下肢肌肉力量。这些发现表明，使用平衡运动辅助机器人进行姿势策略训练可有效改善虚弱老年人常见的步态不稳定和肌肉无力。老年医学与老年病学国际 2017;17:1982-1990.
