Monthly Archives: November 2018

The Association Between Timed Up and Go Test and History of Falls: The Tromsø Study

2 Nov, 2018 in Balance Tests and Measures / Falls / Seniors by BBfB

Gyrd Thrane, Ragnar M Joakimsen and Eline Thornquist

Summary:

A relationship between TUG time and history of falls in men but not in women was determined. However, the clinical relevance of this associated is limited due to the relatively small statistical significance found between the results male fallers and non-fallers as well as the inconsistent results of falls questionnaires. The conclusion of the research was the TUG may not be used as a test of fall risk in an ambulatory elderly population.

Year study was published: 2018

Mean age of participants in study: 74-89 years

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Otago Exercise Program in the United States: Comparison of 2 Implementation Models

2 Nov, 2018 in Balance Tests and Measures / Community-Based / Falls / Practice / Seniors by BBfB

Tiffany E. Shubert, Matthew L. Smith, Lavina Goto, Luohua Jiang, Marcia G. Ory

Summary:

Otago Exercise Program (OEP) is a fall prevention program that consists of 5 warm-up exercises and 17 strength and balance exercises, which are progressed over the course of the program. This program can be administered by a PT or other healthcare professional in a home health or outpatient setting (US OEP) or in a community based setting (community OEP). This study reports significant improvements in physical and self-reported measures in both US and community OEP. There were no significant differences in improvements of outcomes measures (TUG, 30-second chair rise test, and four-stage balance test) between community and US OEP; therefore, the less costly community OEP can achieve results similar to those achieved with US OEP – especially with Timed “Up & Go” as concluded by this study.

Year study was published: 2017

Mean age of participants in study: 80 years old

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Balance Confidence and Fear of Falling Avoidance Behavior Are Most Predictive of Falling in Older Adults: Prospective Analysis

2 Nov, 2018 in Balance Tests and Measures / Confidence / Falls / Fear / Seniors by BBfB

Merrill R. Landers, Sarrie Oscar, Jessica Sasaoka, Kyle Vaughn

Summary:

Physical-based measures (Berg Balance Scale, Sensory Organization Test, Timed “Up & Go”, and Dynamic Gait Index) as well as psychological-based measures (Falls Efficacy Scale, Activity Specific Balance Confidence Scale, and Fear of Falling Avoidance Behavior Questionnaire) were assessed during this study to determine which variable(s) were most predictive of falls in older adults. The results of this study concluded that balance confidence was the best predictor of falling, followed by fear of falling avoidance behavior, and the Time “Up & Go” (TUG). Fall history, presence of pathology, and physical tests did not predict falling. The study also concluded that psychological factors (balance confidence and fear avoidance) were stronger predictors of future falls than physical factors (gait, balance, visual acuity, etc.)

Year study was published: 2018

Mean age of participants in study: 72.2 years

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The Effectiveness of Dance Interventions to Improve Older Adults’ Health: A Systematic Literature Review

2 Nov, 2018 in Ballroom Dance / Dance / Practice / Seniors by BBfB

Phoebe Woei-Ni Hwang, MS; Kathryn L. Braun, DrPH

Summary:

Physical inactivity is common in individuals over the age of 60. This systemic review was looking at the benefits of physical health using dance. The compiled results of 18 studies suggest dance, regardless of style (ballroom, jazz, contemporary, cultural, pop) can significantly improve muscular strength and endurance, balance, flexibility, and other aspects of functional fitness in older adults. These results show dance as a promising method for improving older adults’ physical health as it might address the barriers associated with older adults being physically active.

Year study was published: 2015

Mean age of participants in study: 76 years

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Effects of a Salsa Dance Training on Balance and Strength Performance in Older Adults

2 Nov, 2018 in Balance Tests and Measures / Ballroom Dance / Dance / Seniors by BBfB

Urs Granacher, Thomas Muehlbauer, Stephanie A. Bridenbaugh, Madeleine Wolf, Ralf Roth, Yves Gschwind, Irene Wolf, Rui Mata, Reto W. Kressig

Summary:

In this 8 week of progressive salsa dancing, researchers investigated the effects of salsa dancing on measures of static/dynamic postural control and leg extensor power in older adults. The researchers concluded this was a safe and feasible exercise program for older adults and there was a significant increase in stride velocity in the salsa group as compared to the control group; however, there were no significant changes in gait variability and muscle power of leg extensors. This was the first study that has investigated the impact of salsa dancing no intrinsic fall-risk factors (stride velocity and leg extensor power) in older adults.

Year study was published: 2012

Mean age of participants in study: 71.6 years

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Effects of Dance on Movement Control in Parkinson’s Disease: A Comparison of Argentine Tango and American Ballroom

2 Nov, 2018 in Ballroom Dance / Community-Based / Dance / Parkinson’s Disease/dystonias / Seniors / Tango by BBfB

Madeleine E. Hackney, BFA1 and Gammon M. Earhart, PhD, PT

Summary:

American smooth waltz and foxtrot as well as Argentine tango lead to significant benefits with respect to balance, motor ability, and locomotion in patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease who took part in 20 hours of partnered dance instruction. These improvements were correlated to the use of external cues (music or use of partner) as well as specific movements incorporated in the particular form of dance. This study concluded that although foxtrot and tango both lead to improvements, tango was slightly more beneficial with TUG and gait (helping with freezing of gait). This was attributed to the strategies taught during tango (visual cues such as tapping partners foot or crossing one foot over the other, rhythmic rocking, backwards walking, etc.).

Year article was published: 2009

Mean age of participants in study: 67 years old

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Physical Benefits of Dancing for Healthy Older Adults: A Review

2 Nov, 2018 in Ballroom Dance / Dance / Seniors by BBfB

Justin W.L. Keogh, Andrew Kilding, Philippa Pidgeon, Linda Ashley, and Dawn Gillis

Summary:

Results of 18 studies in all concluded that dancing can significantly improve power, lower body muscle endurance, strength and flexibility, balance, agility, and gait in older adults. Although it was concluded with a lower level of evidence, it was also suggested that dancing might improve older adults’ lower body bone-mineral density content and muscle power, as well as reduce the prevalence of falls and cardiovascular health risks. There were no conclusions for different results based on type of dance or the difference in effectiveness of dance compared to other exercise modes.

Year study was published: 2009

Mean age of participants in study: 65 years old

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The Effect of Ballroom Dance on Balance and Functional Autonomy Among the Isolated Elderly

2 Nov, 2018 in Balance Tests and Measures / Ballroom Dance / Dance / Seniors by BBfB

Eliane Gomes da Silva Borges a,b,c,*, Sama ́ria Ali Cader b,c,d, Rodrigo Gomes de Souza Vale b,c, Thales Henrique Pires Cruz b,c, Mauro Cezar de Gurgel de Alencar Carvalho b,c, Francisco Miguel Pinto b,c, Este ́lio H.M. Dantas b,c

Summary:

In this study based out of Brazil, 39/75 individuals from three long-term institutions participated in a 50 min Ballroom Dance Program that incorporated rumba, swing, samba, and bolero and took place 3 times a week. The control group (36/75 individuals) maintained their normal daily activities. These individuals were evaluated using the Latin American Group for Maturity (GDLAM) protocol to assess functional autonomy and the stabiolometer to assess physical balance. The results of this study concluded the ballroom dance program led to an increase in the level of functional autonomy and in physical balance.

Year study was published: 2012

Mean age of participants in study: 77 years old

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Investigating the Acute Effect of an Aerobic Dance Exercise Program on Neuro-Cognitive Function in the Elderly

2 Nov, 2018 in Ballroom Dance / Cognitive and Memory / Dance / Dual-tasking / Seniors by BBfB

Ken Kimura, Noriko Hozumi

Summary: This study was comparing two types of aerobic dance exercises: a workout that consisted of several patterns of movement vs. a workout consisting of similar patterns of movement, but the patterns were joined to forma long choreographic routine/dance. The results of this study concluded that the executive cognitive network was facilitated in the choreographic routine workout due to the complex motor functions with a dual-task nature used in this workout group. The choreographic routine seems to improve actions that facilitate attentional control and even memory processes.

Year study was published: 2012

Mean age of participants in study: 70.7 years old

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Therapeutic Dancing for Parkinson’s Disease

2 Nov, 2018 in Ballroom Dance / Dance / Parkinson’s Disease/dystonias by BBfB

Lorenna Pryscia Carvalho Aguiar*, Priscila Alves da Rocha, Meg Morris

Summary:

This systematic review found that therapeutic dancing in general was found to be beneficial for improving motor performance, mobility and balance in people with Parkinson’s Disease. Although this study didn’t find details related to specific forms of dance, they did find and overall short-term improvement in freezing of gait (FOG), walking performance, and wellbeing in some individuals. ‘

Year study was published: 2016

Mean age of participants in study: 66.5 years old