Results and Conclusions Although most available studies did not systematic ally evaluate feasibility aspects , reports of high participation rates , low drop-out rates , absence of adverse events and positive training experiences suggest that biofeedback methods can be applied in older adults .
An indication for effectiveness of visual feedback-based training of balance in ( frail ) older adults was identified for postural sway , weight-shifting and reaction time in st and ing , and for the Berg Balance Scale .
Indications for added effectiveness of applying biofeedback during training of balance , gait , or sit-to-st and transfers in older patients post-stroke were identified for training-specific aspects .
The same applies for auditory feedback-based training of gait in older patients with lower-limb surgery .
Implication sFurther appropriate studies are needed in different population s of older adults to be able to make definitive statements regarding the ( long-term ) added effectiveness , particularly on measures of functioning
Context An effective application of biofeedback for interventions in older adults with balance and mobility disorders may be compromised due to co-morbidity .
Objective To evaluate the feasibility and the effectiveness of biofeedback-based training of balance and /or mobility in older adults .
Symmetrical body-weight distribution training in stroke patients and its effect on fall prevention.
OBJECTIVE To determine the role of symmetrical body-weight distribution training in preventing falls among patients with hemiplegic stroke . DESIGN A prospect i ve study using a st and ing biofeedback trainer . SETTING Hospital-based rehabilitation units . PATIENTS Fifty-four patients with hemiplegic stroke ( 30 in the training group , 24 in the control group ) . INTERVENTIONS Conventional stroke rehabilitation program , plus symmetrical st and ing training and repetitive sit-to-st and training , with a st and ing biofeedback trainer . Training effect was evaluated by assessing the sit-to-st and performance and comparing the occurrence of falls in the 2 groups at a 6-month follow-up . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Occurrence of falls , sit-to-st and performance , including body-weight distribution , rate of rise in force , and sway in center of pressure ( COP ) . RESULTS Significant improvement in sit-to-st and performance was found in patients in the training group . Body weight was distributed more symmetrically in both legs , with less mediolateral sway in the COP when rising and sitting down . The mean difference in body-weight distribution between the left and right legs while subjects were rising from a chair significantly decreased , from 49.5 % + /- 18.9 % to 38.6 % + /- 15.8 % of body weight ( BW ) ( p < .005 ) . The rate of rise in force while rising from a chair significantly increased , from 28.3 % + /- 13.5%BW/s to 53.6 % + /- 20.5%BW/s ( p < .001 ) . At the 6-month follow-up , 10 of 24 patients ( 41.7 % ) in the control group had fallen , compared with only 5 of 30 patients ( 16.7 % ) in the training group ( p < .05 ) . CONCLUSIONS Symmetrical body-weight distribution training may improve sit-to-st and performance and , consequently , decrease the number of falls by stroke patients
Results and Conclusions Although most available studies did not systematic ally evaluate feasibility aspects , reports of high participation rates , low drop-out rates , absence of adverse events and positive training experiences suggest that biofeedback methods can be applied in older adults .
An indication for effectiveness of visual feedback-based training of balance in ( frail ) older adults was identified for postural sway , weight-shifting and reaction time in st and ing , and for the Berg Balance Scale .
Indications for added effectiveness of applying biofeedback during training of balance , gait , or sit-to-st and transfers in older patients post-stroke were identified for training-specific aspects .
The same applies for auditory feedback-based training of gait in older patients with lower-limb surgery .
Implication sFurther appropriate studies are needed in different population s of older adults to be able to make definitive statements regarding the ( long-term ) added effectiveness , particularly on measures of functioning
Context An effective application of biofeedback for interventions in older adults with balance and mobility disorders may be compromised due to co-morbidity .
Objective To evaluate the feasibility and the effectiveness of biofeedback-based training of balance and /or mobility in older adults .