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 .
Electromyographic feedback in the remobilization of stroke patients: a controlled trial.
Electromyographic biofeedback was compared with simple exercise therapy as to its effectiveness in improving  foot-drop in 22 stroke patients . The study was design ed to be a rigorous trial of biofeedback and the patients tested were aged and had stroke of long duration . One group of 11 patients underwent 6 weeks of exercise therapy 2 sessions per week for 15 minutes per session ; the 2nd group of 11 patients underwent similar therapy with EMG feedback . All therapy was conducted by a research assistant who was not a trained therapist . The groups were assessed blind before treatment , after treatment and a 6-week follow-up . The significantly greater improvements in the biofeedback group in terms of muscle strength at the end of treatment were maintained at follow-up . On the range of movement and gait analysis measures , both groups showed some improvement after treatment . However , at follow-up this improvement had relapsed for the exercise group while for the biofeedback group it had been maintained . It is argued that controlled trials are possible in biofeedback and that using patients as their own controls is not justified in view of the present findings and the previously reported literature
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 .