Functional Impact of Individualized Physical Therapy Versus Generic Group Exercise for Residential Care-Dwelling Older Adults With Mild Balance Dysfunction

Varatharajan Lingam; Leah Nof; Olaide Oluwole-Sangoseni; Alicia Fernandez-Fernandez

doi:10.1097/TGR.0000000000000520

Functional Impact of Individualized Physical Therapy Versus Generic Group Exercise for Residential Care-Dwelling Older Adults With Mild Balance Dysfunction

Varatharajan Lingam
, Leah Nof
, Olaide Oluwole-Sangoseni
, Alicia Fernandez-Fernandez

Department of Physical Therapy

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Objective:
Compare effects of individualized exercise program (IEP) with generic group-based exercise program (GBEP) on balance, gait, and functional performance of residential older adults with mild balance dysfunction.

Methods:
Randomized IEP (n = 60) or GBEP (n = 60). Measured BioSway balance, reach (MDRT), function (PPT), strength, gait (baseline, 9 weeks); and for IEP, BioSway/PPT at 13 weeks.

Results:
Significant improvement for IEP versus GBEP on BioSway limits/postural stability, all MDRT directions, hip/knee/ankle strength, PPT, and gait (P = 0.012 or less) after 9 weeks, with effect sizes greatest for limits of stability and MDRT. IEP improved all variables over time, with gains retained 13 weeks except Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration of Balance.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	180-192
Journal	Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation
Volume	42
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1097/TGR.0000000000000520
State	Published - Jul 2026

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10.1097/TGR.0000000000000520

Cite this

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title = "Functional Impact of Individualized Physical Therapy Versus Generic Group Exercise for Residential Care-Dwelling Older Adults With Mild Balance Dysfunction",

abstract = "Objective: Compare effects of individualized exercise program (IEP) with generic group-based exercise program (GBEP) on balance, gait, and functional performance of residential older adults with mild balance dysfunction. Methods: Randomized IEP (n = 60) or GBEP (n = 60). Measured BioSway balance, reach (MDRT), function (PPT), strength, gait (baseline, 9 weeks); and for IEP, BioSway/PPT at 13 weeks. Results: Significant improvement for IEP versus GBEP on BioSway limits/postural stability, all MDRT directions, hip/knee/ankle strength, PPT, and gait (P = 0.012 or less) after 9 weeks, with effect sizes greatest for limits of stability and MDRT. IEP improved all variables over time, with gains retained 13 weeks except Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration of Balance.",

author = "Varatharajan Lingam and Leah Nof and Olaide Oluwole-Sangoseni and Alicia Fernandez-Fernandez",

year = "2026",

month = jul,

doi = "10.1097/TGR.0000000000000520",

language = "English",

volume = "42",

pages = "180--192",

journal = "Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation",

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AU - Lingam, Varatharajan

AU - Nof, Leah

AU - Oluwole-Sangoseni, Olaide

AU - Fernandez-Fernandez, Alicia

PY - 2026/7

Y1 - 2026/7

N2 - Objective: Compare effects of individualized exercise program (IEP) with generic group-based exercise program (GBEP) on balance, gait, and functional performance of residential older adults with mild balance dysfunction. Methods: Randomized IEP (n = 60) or GBEP (n = 60). Measured BioSway balance, reach (MDRT), function (PPT), strength, gait (baseline, 9 weeks); and for IEP, BioSway/PPT at 13 weeks. Results: Significant improvement for IEP versus GBEP on BioSway limits/postural stability, all MDRT directions, hip/knee/ankle strength, PPT, and gait (P = 0.012 or less) after 9 weeks, with effect sizes greatest for limits of stability and MDRT. IEP improved all variables over time, with gains retained 13 weeks except Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration of Balance.

AB - Objective: Compare effects of individualized exercise program (IEP) with generic group-based exercise program (GBEP) on balance, gait, and functional performance of residential older adults with mild balance dysfunction. Methods: Randomized IEP (n = 60) or GBEP (n = 60). Measured BioSway balance, reach (MDRT), function (PPT), strength, gait (baseline, 9 weeks); and for IEP, BioSway/PPT at 13 weeks. Results: Significant improvement for IEP versus GBEP on BioSway limits/postural stability, all MDRT directions, hip/knee/ankle strength, PPT, and gait (P = 0.012 or less) after 9 weeks, with effect sizes greatest for limits of stability and MDRT. IEP improved all variables over time, with gains retained 13 weeks except Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration of Balance.

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JO - Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation

JF - Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation

IS - 3

ER -

Functional Impact of Individualized Physical Therapy Versus Generic Group Exercise for Residential Care-Dwelling Older Adults With Mild Balance Dysfunction

Abstract

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