Several tools are available to assess mobility in the ambulatory setting .
Relatively few studies support therapeutic exercise to improve mobility limitation .
Strong evidence supports resistance and balance exercises for improving mobility-limiting physical weakness and balance disorders .
Addressing functional deficits and environmental barriers with exercise and mobility devices can lead to improved function , safety , and quality of life for patients with mobility limitations
IMPORTANCE Mobility limitations are common in older adults , affecting the physical , psychological , and social aspects of an older adult 's life .
OBJECTIVE To identify mobility risk factors , screening tools , medical management , need for physical therapy  , and efficacy of exercise interventions for older primary care patients with limited mobility .
A randomized controlled trial of an enhanced balance training program to improve mobility and reduce falls in elderly patients.
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effectiveness of an enhanced balance training program in improving mobility and well-being of elderly people with balance problems . DESIGN Prospect i ve , single-blind , r and omized , controlled trial . SETTING District general hospital . PARTICIPANTS One hundred ninety-nine patients aged 60 and older with a Berg Balance Scale ( BBS ) score of less than 45 . INTERVENTIONS Six weeks enhanced balance training consisting of a series of repetitive tasks of increasing difficulty specific to functional balance . The control group received physiotherapy conforming to existing practice in elderly patients with mobility problems .  MEASUREMENTS Ten-meter timed walk test ( TWT ) , BBS , Frenchay Activities Index ( FAI ) , Falls H and icap Inventory ( FHI ) , and European Quality of Life question naire ( Euroqol ) measured at 6 , 12 , and 24 weeks after intervention . RESULTS The mean age + /- st and ard deviation of subjects was 82.7 + /- 5.6 , and baseline characteristics were comparable between the groups . Both groups showed improvements in TWT ( intervention : 22.5 - 16.5 seconds , P = .001 ; control : 20.5 - 15.8 seconds , P = .054 ) , BBS ( intervention : 33.3 - 42.7 , P = .001 ; control : 33.4 - 42.0 , P < .0001 ) , FAI ( 18 - 21 , P = .02 in both groups ) , FHI score ( intervention : 31 - 17 , P = .0001 ; control : 33 - 17 , P = .0001 ) and Euroqol score ( intervention : 58 - 65 , P = .04 ; control : 60 - 65 , P = .07 ) . There were no intergroup differences at any time . More patients reported increased confidence in walking indoors ( 36 % vs 28 % ; P = .04 ) and outdoors ( 27 % vs 18 % ; P = .02 ) in the enhanced balance-training group . CONCLUSION Exercise programs significantly improve balance and mobility in patients with balance problems , independent of strategy . Enhanced balance training may , in addition , improve confidence and quality of life but needs further investigation
Several tools are available to assess mobility in the ambulatory setting .
Relatively few studies support therapeutic exercise to improve mobility limitation .
Strong evidence supports resistance and balance exercises for improving mobility-limiting physical weakness and balance disorders .
Addressing functional deficits and environmental barriers with exercise and mobility devices can lead to improved function , safety , and quality of life for patients with mobility limitations
IMPORTANCE Mobility limitations are common in older adults , affecting the physical , psychological , and social aspects of an older adult 's life .
OBJECTIVE To identify mobility risk factors , screening tools , medical management , need for physical therapy  , and efficacy of exercise interventions for older primary care patients with limited mobility .