Can the Alexander Technique improve balance and mobility in older adults with visual impairments? A randomized controlled trial.
Clin Rehabil
; 29(3): 244-60, 2015 Mar.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-25027444
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the impact of Alexander Technique lessons on balance and mobility in older adults with visual impairments.DESIGN:
Randomized assessor blinded controlled trial with intervention and usual care control groups.SETTING:
Participants' homes.SUBJECTS:
A total of 120 community-dwellers aged 50+ with visual impairments. INTERVENTION Twelve weeks of Alexander lessons and usual care. MAIN OUTCOMEMEASURES:
Short Physical Performance Battery items were primary outcomes at 3 months and secondary outcomes at 12 months. Additional secondary outcomes were postural sway, maximal balance range and falls over 12 months.RESULTS:
Between-group differences in primary outcomes were not significant. The intervention group reduced postural sway on a firm surface with eyes open at 3 months after adjusting for baseline values (-29.59 mm, 95%CI -49.52 to -9.67, P < 0.01). Planned sub-group analyses indicated a greater intervention effect among past multiple-fallers (2+) than non-multiple fallers for gait speed (P = 0.02) and step length (P < 0.01) at 3 months and chair stand at 12 months (P < 0.01). There was a non-significant reduction in falls rate (IRR = 0.64, 95%CI 0.34 to 1.15, P = 0.13) and injurious falls (IRR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.28 to 1.30, P = 0.20) in the intervention group compared to the control group.CONCLUSION:
The intervention did not have a significant impact on the primary outcomes but benefits for the intervention group in postural sway, trends towards fewer falls and injurious falls and improved mobility among past multiple-fallers suggest further investigation of the Alexander Technique is warranted.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Transtornos da Visão
/
Acidentes por Quedas
/
Caminhada
/
Equilíbrio Postural
/
Terapia por Exercício
/
Marcha
Tipo de estudo:
Clinical_trials
Limite:
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
País/Região como assunto:
Oceania
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Clin Rehabil
Assunto da revista:
REABILITACAO
Ano de publicação:
2015
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Austrália