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 .
Control of sway using vibrotactile feedback of body tilt in patients with moderate and severe postural control deficits.
We evaluated the effect of the vibrotactile display of body tilt upon the postural stability of vestibulopathic subjects during st and ing . Two groups were studied : those with moderate and with severe deficits as defined by postural stability test scores . They were studied under conditions of distorted sensory input , and during anterior-posterior perturbations .  Seventeen subjects , with uni- or bilateral vestibular deficits , as determined by electronystagmography and vertical axis rotation , were tested using  Equitest computerized dynamic posturography ( CDP ) . Based on their performance on the CDP they were divided into two groups having either moderate ( nine subjects ) or severe ( eight subjects ) postural control deficits . Their anterior-posterior ( A/P ) body motion at the waist was measured with a micromechanical rate gyroscope and a linear accelerometer . The result ing tilt estimate was displayed by a vibrotactile array attached to the torso . The vibration served as a tilt feedback to the subject . The subject 's performance was evaluated using the root-mean-square ( RMS ) of both the A/P body motion and center-of-pressure ( CoP ) estimates . Sensory distortions were introduced using the Equitest Sensory Organization Tests ( SOT ) . These tests are design ed to distort A/P sensory inputs while st and ing . The SOT 5 distorts proprioceptive information about ankle joint movement , while the subject st and s eyes-closed on a moving support platform that measures foot pressure . The SOT 6 adds distorted visual information about body movement instead of testing with eyes closed . Perturbations were introduced using the Equitest Motor Control Tests ( MCT ) . These move the support platform forward or backward with small , medium and large displacements in the horizontal plane while measuring subjects ' foot pressure responses . We used the medium and large backward tests . Vibrotactile display of body tilt reduced the subjects ' A/P sway and improved their balance . The finding was more evident for those subjects with severe deficits than those moderate ones . This trend was found for both SOT 5 and 6 , as well as the medium and large MCT . Additionally , during the MCT , the peak deflection and mean recovery time also decreased significantly
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 .