Comparison of Ai Chi and Impairment-Based Aquatic Therapy for Older Adults With Balance Problems: A Clinical Study

被引:10
作者
Covill, Laura G. [1 ,2 ]
Utley, Cynthia [1 ]
Hochstein, Cheryl [2 ]
机构
[1] Des Moines Univ, Des Moines, IA 50312 USA
[2] Mercy Phys Therapy Clin, Des Moines, IA USA
关键词
aging adults; Ai Chi; aquatic therapy; balance; intervention; RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED-TRIAL; MINIMUM DETECTABLE CHANGE; TAI-CHI; FUNCTIONAL MOBILITY; PREVENTING FALLS; POSTURAL BALANCE; ELDERLY-PEOPLE; PREDICT FALLS; EXERCISE; COMMUNITY;
D O I
10.1519/JPT.0000000000000100
中图分类号
R592 [老年病学]; C [社会科学总论];
学科分类号
03 ; 0303 ; 100203 ;
摘要
Background and Purpose: Older adults with balance deficits often fear falling and limit their mobility. Poor balance is multifactorial, influenced by medication interactions, musculoskeletal and sensory system changes, and poor neuromuscular response to changes in body positions. Aquatic physical therapy (APT) is an intervention used to improve balance and decrease falls. Ai Chi is a water-based exercise program. It incorporates slow movements of progressive difficulty utilizing the upper and lower extremities and trunk coordinated with deep breathing. It is used for relaxation, strengthening, and balance training. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Ai Chi provides better results than conventional impairment-based aquatic therapy (IBAT) for older adults with balance deficits. Methods: Thirty-two community-dwelling adults, 65 to 85 years old, were referred to 2 different community pools for APT. Fifteen participants received Ai Chi-based aquatic interventions and 17 participants received an IBAT program. Physical therapists trained in both programs completed interventions and determined discharge. Physical balance measures, which included the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up and Go (TUG), were collected pre- and posttherapy. Self-reported outcome measures, the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) and Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), were collected pre- and posttherapy and 3- and 6-month postdischarge. Results: A 2-way (group by time) mixed-model analysis of covariance with initial outcome scores as a covariate revealed no difference between groups in any of the outcome measures (BBS, P=.53; TUG, P=.39; ABC, P=.63; NPRS, P=.27). Repeated-measures analysis and dependent t tests showed significant improvements in the BBS (P=.00) and TUG (P=.03) after APT. The ABC and NPRS did not improve significantly (ABC, P=.27; NPRS, P=.77). Conclusions: There were no signifi cant differences found in balance measures, balance confidence, or pain levels for community-dwelling older adults between the Ai Chi and IBAT programs. Physical outcome measures improved with APT but patient-reported measures did not. Further study is indicated to determine the most effective treatment frequency and duration for this population.
引用
收藏
页码:204 / 213
页数:10
相关论文
共 55 条
[1]  
Alghadir Ahmad, 2015, ScientificWorldJournal, V2015, P529873, DOI 10.1155/2015/529873
[2]  
Anderson R. L., 2010, INT J AQUATIC RES ED, V4, P300
[3]  
Arnold C M, 2008, Physiother Can, V60, P296, DOI 10.3138/physio.60.4.296
[4]  
Arnold Catherine M, 2008, Physiother Can, V60, P358, DOI 10.3138/physio.60.4.358
[5]   The Effect of Aquatic Exercise and Education on Lowering Fall Risk in Older Adults With Hip Osteoarthritis [J].
Arnold, Cathy M. ;
Faulkner, Robert A. .
JOURNAL OF AGING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, 2010, 18 (03) :245-260
[6]   Effectiveness of aquatic and non-aquatic lower limb muscle endurance training in the static and dynamic balance of elderly people [J].
Avelar, Nubia C. P. ;
Bastone, Alessandra C. ;
Alcantara, Marcus A. ;
Gomes, Wellington F. .
BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL THERAPY, 2010, 14 (03) :229-236
[7]   Gait characteristics of elderly people with a history of falls: A dynamic approach [J].
Barak, Yaron ;
Wagenaar, Robert C. ;
Holt, Kenneth G. .
PHYSICAL THERAPY, 2006, 86 (11) :1501-1510
[8]   Effectiveness of Aquatic Exercise for Musculoskeletal Conditions: A Meta-Analysis [J].
Barker, Anna Lucia ;
Talevski, Jason ;
Morello, Renata Teresa ;
Brand, Caroline Anne ;
Rahmann, Ann Elizabeth ;
Urquhart, Donna Michelle .
ARCHIVES OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION, 2014, 95 (09) :1776-1786
[9]   Community-based group exercise improves balance and reduces falls in at-risk older people: a randomised controlled trial [J].
Barnett, A ;
Smith, B ;
Lord, SR ;
Williams, M ;
Baumand, A .
AGE AND AGEING, 2003, 32 (04) :407-414
[10]   Effects of Ai-Chi on balance, functional mobility, strength and fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis: A pilot study [J].
Bayraktar, Deniz ;
Guclu-Gunduz, Arzu ;
Yazici, Gokhan ;
Lambeck, Johan ;
Batur-Caglayan, Hale Zeynep ;
Irkec, Ceyla ;
Nazliel, Bijen .
NEUROREHABILITATION, 2013, 33 (03) :431-437