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 .
Visual feedback training improves postural adjustments associated with moving obstacle avoidance in elderly women.
The study examined the impact of visually guided weight shifting ( WS ) practice on the postural adjustments evoked by elderly women when avoiding collision with a moving obstacle while st and ing . Fifty-six healthy elderly women ( 70.9+/-5.7 years , 87.5+/-9.6 kg ) were r and omly assigned into one of three groups : a group that completed 12 sessions ( 25 min , 3s/week ) of WS practice in the Anterior/Posterior direction ( A/P group , n=20 ) , a group that performed the same practice in the medio/lateral direction ( M/L group , n=20 ) and a control group ( n=16 ) . Pre- and post-training , participants were tested in a  moving obstacle avoidance task .  As a result of practice , postural response onset shifted closer to the time of collision with the obstacle . Side-to-side WS result ed in a reduction of the M/L sway amplitude and an increase of the trunk 's velocity during avoidance . It is concluded that visually guided WS practice enhances elderly 's ability for on-line visuo-motor processing when avoiding collision eliminating reliance on anticipatory scaling . Specifying the direction of WS seems to be critical for optimizing the transfer of training adaptations
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 .