Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: July | Volume: 10 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 225-237
Comparison of Conventional Balance Exercises with Auditory Stimuli vs. Conventional Balance Exercises with Visual Stimuli vs. Conventional Balance Exercises with Auditory and Visual Stimuli Both On Balance in Healthy Geriatrics: An Experimental Prospective Study
Roma Raykar1, Aparna Sadhale2
1M.P.Th in Neuroscience Physiotherapy, Deccan Education Society’s Brijlal Jindal College of Physiotherapy, Pune
2Principal, Professor, Deccan Education Society’s Brijlal Jindal College of Physiotherapy, Pune
Corresponding Author: Roma Raykar
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Balance is an important aspect of an individual while undertaking various daily activities. It is a dynamic process requiring sensory detection of body motions, integration of sensorimotor information within the CNS, and execution of appropriate musculoskeletal responses in order to establish equilibrium between destabilizing and stabilizing forces. Among geriatric population, impairment in the control of balance under dual-task conditions is a common occurrence. Impaired dual-task balance performance predicts adverse outcomes such as falls and decline in both cognitive and physical function.
Objectives: To assess balance using One Leg Stance Test and Forward Reach Test, To assess level of confidence using Activity Specific Balance Confidence scale, To train healthy geriatrics with conventional balance exercises along with auditory stimulus (group A),visual stimulus (group B) and auditory and visual stimuli combined ( group C );To compare the effect on balance post training in three groups.
Methodology: 93 healthy geriatrics between the age group of 65-74 years were randomly allocated into three groups (A, B ,C).Balance assessment was done pre and post one month treatment using OLST and FRT. Treatment sessions were carried out thrice a week for 4 weeks. Each balance training session lasted for 45 minutes. Conventional balance exercises were given for all the three groups along with auditory stimulus (group A), visual stimulus (group B) and auditory and visual stimuli combined (group C).
Result: Results show statistically highly significant improvement in OLST, FRT and ABC scores of three groups when compared pre and post training. Changes in OLST duration, FRT distance and percentage of ABC scores from pre to post between groups was statistically not significant.
Conclusion: The study concludes that there is no significant difference between the three groups post intervention i.e. all the three treatment strategies are equally effective.
Key words: Dual Task Training, Balance, Geriatrics, Postural Control.