Background and Purpose: To investigate the effect of an individualized exercise program versus a generic group-based exercise program on balance, gait, and functional performance of older adults categorized as having mild balance dysfunction and living in residential care facilities. Methods: Single blind randomized control design. One hundred-twenty residents fulfilled screening criteria for mild balance dysfunction based on the BioSwayTM balance and the Multi-Directional Reach Test (MDRT) primary outcome measures. Secondary assessment was completed using the Modified Physical Performance Test (PPT), hand-held dynamometer (lower-limb muscle strength testing), and gait speed analysis. Sixty subjects received individualized treatment from physical therapists (8 weeks). Another sixty subjects received generic group-based exercises (8 weeks). All outcome measures were collected at baseline and post-intervention (ninth week); and BioSwayTM and PPT measures at follow-up (thirteenth week) for the individualized group. Results: Individualized group (n=60) showed significant improvement compared to the group-based group (n=60) on the two BioSwayTM scores (limits of stability, p
| Date of Award | Jan 1 2019 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Supervisor | Alicia Fernandez-Fernandez (Supervisor), Leah Nof (Advisor) & Olaide Oluwole-Sangoseni (Advisor) |
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