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1- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand.
2- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand. ,Thanawat.k@allied.tu.ac.th
2- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand. ,
Abstract: (478 Views)
Background. Enhancing balance function is crucial for fall prevention and maintaining quality of life among the elderly.
Objectives. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of balance training using natural rubber pads compared to Airex® foam pads and firm surfaces in healthy older adults.
Methods. Ninety healthy older adults aged 55-65 were randomly assigned to one of three groups: training on natural rubber pads, Airex® foam pads, or firm surfaces. Participants completed a 4-week balance training program. Balance performance was assessed before and after the intervention using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Thai Falls Efficacy Scale-International (Thai FES-I), Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), One-Leg Standing Test (OLST), Chair Stand Test (CST), and Tandem-Stance Test (TST). Data were analyzed using a two-way mixed-model ANOVA to evaluate differences in balance performance among the three groups.
Results. The natural rubber pad group exhibited significant improvements in balance performance across all assessment tools (BBS, Thai FES-I, TUGT, OLST, CST, and TST) after the 4-week intervention (p<0.05). Notably, this group performed better in the TUGT and CST than the Airex® foam pad group (p<0.05).
Conclusion. The findings suggest that natural rubber pads are an effective and cost-efficient alternative to Airex® foam pads for balance training in healthy older adults. The natural rubber pads provided an unstable yet supportive training environment, leading to significant improvements in balance performance compared to firm surfaces and offering benefits comparable to those of commercial foam pads, potentially at a lower cost.
Objectives. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of balance training using natural rubber pads compared to Airex® foam pads and firm surfaces in healthy older adults.
Methods. Ninety healthy older adults aged 55-65 were randomly assigned to one of three groups: training on natural rubber pads, Airex® foam pads, or firm surfaces. Participants completed a 4-week balance training program. Balance performance was assessed before and after the intervention using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Thai Falls Efficacy Scale-International (Thai FES-I), Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), One-Leg Standing Test (OLST), Chair Stand Test (CST), and Tandem-Stance Test (TST). Data were analyzed using a two-way mixed-model ANOVA to evaluate differences in balance performance among the three groups.
Results. The natural rubber pad group exhibited significant improvements in balance performance across all assessment tools (BBS, Thai FES-I, TUGT, OLST, CST, and TST) after the 4-week intervention (p<0.05). Notably, this group performed better in the TUGT and CST than the Airex® foam pad group (p<0.05).
Conclusion. The findings suggest that natural rubber pads are an effective and cost-efficient alternative to Airex® foam pads for balance training in healthy older adults. The natural rubber pads provided an unstable yet supportive training environment, leading to significant improvements in balance performance compared to firm surfaces and offering benefits comparable to those of commercial foam pads, potentially at a lower cost.
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APPLICABLE REMARKS
APPLICABLE REMARKS
- The natural rubber pads are an effective and cost-efficient alternative to Airex® foam pads for balance training in healthy older adults.
- The natural rubber pads provided an unstable yet supportive training environment, significantly improving balance performance compared to firm surfaces.
Type of Study: Original Article |
Subject:
Motor Control and its Related Branches
Received: 2024/09/25 | Accepted: 2024/12/9
Received: 2024/09/25 | Accepted: 2024/12/9
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