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 .
Training symmetry of weight distribution after stroke: a randomized controlled pilot study comparing task-related reach, Bo bath and feedback training approaches
Objective : To determine ( 1 ) the most effective of three treatment approaches to retrain seated weight distribution long-term after stroke and ( 2 ) whether improvements could be generalized to weight distribution in st and ing . Setting : Inpatient rehabilitation unit . Design : Forty asymmetrical acute stroke subjects were r and omly allocated to one of four groups in this pilot study . Changes in weight distribution were compared between the 10 subjects of each of three treatment groups ( task-specific reach , Bobath , or Balance Performance Monitor [ BPM ] feedback training ) and a no specific treatment control group . One week of measurement only was followed by two weeks of daily training sessions with the treatment to which the subject was r and omly allocated . Measurements were performed using the BPM daily before treatment sessions , two weeks after cessation of treatment and 12 weeks post study . Weight distribution was calculated in terms of mean balance ( percentage of total body weight ) or the mean of 300 balance points over a 30-s data run . Results : In the short term , the Bobath approach was the most effective treatment for retraining sitting symmetry after stroke ( p = 0.004 ) . Training with the BPM and no training were also significant ( p = 0.038 and p = 0.035 respectively ) and task-specific reach training failed to reach significance ( p = 0.26 ) . At 12 weeks post study 83 % of the BPM training group , 38 % of the task-specific reach group , 29 % of the Bobath group and 0 % of the untrained group were found to be distributing their weight to both sides . Some generalization of symmetry training in sitting to st and ing was noted in the BPM training group which appeared to persist long term . Conclusions : Results should be treated with caution due to the small group sizes . However , these preliminary endings suggest that it might be possible to restore postural symmetry in sitting in the early stages of rehabilitation with therapy that focuses on creating an awareness of body position
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 .