Improved balance in middle-aged adults after 8 weeks of a modified version of Otago Exercise Program: A randomized controlled trial

Objective The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to examine dynamic balance changes (reach distance) in middle-aged adults using the Y Balance Test (YBT) following 8 weeks of home-based exercise program adapted from the Otago Exercise Program (OEP). Methods Fifty-two healthy middle-aged adults with mean age of 54.4 +/- 5.4 years and body mass index of 27.7 +/- 5.7 kg/m(2) were randomly assigned into either the exercise group (a modification of the Otago Exercise Program, that consisted of home-based balance and strength exercises) or the non-exercise group (continuation of usual lifestyle) by having the participants select a paper from a sealed envelope. The YBT was used to measure participants' dynamic balance in the right and left anterior (RA, LA), posteromedial (RPM, LPM), and posterolateral (RPL, LPL) directions. Results The outcome in this trial was reach distance (cm). There was a significant group by time interaction in terms of reach distance for all directions (p<0.05, eta(2) ranged from 0.06 to 0.20). In the exercise group, results of the repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant improvements in the reach distance in all the directions (p<0.001). In contrast, the non-exercise group had significant difference only in the left posterolateral direction (p = 0.009). Participants in the exercise group achieved significantly greater reach distance (cm) (95% confidence interval (CI)) for RA[(2.8, 0.4 to 5.2), p = 0.023]; LA[(3.2, 0.9 to 5.6), p = 0.008]; RPM[(4.0, 1.0 to 7.9), p = 0.046]; LPM[(5.8,1.3 to 10.3), p = 0.013]; RPL [(7.6, 2.6 to 12.6), p = 0.003]; and LPL[(4.2, 0.3 to 8.2), p = 0.035]. Conclusion The modified version of OEP appears to be effective in improving parameters of dynamic balance in the middle-aged adult population. The improvements in YBT reach distance in the exercise group are indicative of the significance of performing balance and strength exercises regularly for this population.