Hong Kong Physiotherapy Journal
Volume 26, Issue 1 , Pages 45-50, 2008

Effects of a Structured Exercise Programme on Functional Balance in Visually Impaired Elderly Living in a Residential Setting

  • Ken K.W. Cheung, PDPT

      Affiliations

    • The Hong Kong Society for the Blind, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
    • ,
  • Kai Y. Au, MSc, BScPT

      Affiliations

    • The Hong Kong Society for the Blind, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
    • ,
  • Wilson W.S. Lam, MSc, BScPT

      Affiliations

    • The Hong Kong Society for the Blind, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
    • ,
  • Alice Y.M. Jones, PhD, FACP

      Affiliations

    • Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests and correspondence to: Dr Alice Jones, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China

Received 12 August 2008; accepted 18 December 2008.

Article Outline

Abstract 

One major priority for health care professionals is to minimize the risk of fall in the elderly population. While the quality of life of an individual is affected by fall accidents, management of post-fall disability in the elderly could be a huge economic burden to the society. Visually impaired elderly are at a higher risk of fall, because “vision”, an important component contributing to balance, is disturbed. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of an exercise programme, which focused on improvement of the functional balance of visually impaired elderly. Visually impaired elderly residents were randomly assigned to either the exercise training or control group. A multidimensional, individually tailored exercise programme was introduced by physiotherapists to the exercise group for 12 weeks. Functional balance status reflected by the Berg Balance Scale, chair stand test, and timed up-and-go test assessed before and after the 12-week training programme was compared between the two groups. Results demonstrated a significant improvement in balance outcomes in the exercise group (p < 0.05) but not in the control group. The results of this study suggest that a physiotherapist-designed strengthening and balance-training programme can improve the functional balance status of visually impaired elderly.

Key words:  balance , elders , exercise , impairment , visual

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PII: S1013-7025(09)70007-7

doi:10.1016/S1013-7025(09)70007-7

Hong Kong Physiotherapy Journal
Volume 26, Issue 1 , Pages 45-50, 2008

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