Effect of a Technology-based Exercise Program on Physical Fitness and Activities of Daily Living in the Elderly With Balance Impairment: A Clinical Trial

Due to the increase in life expectancy in different countries and, thus, the increase in the number of aged people and the prevalence of physical problems related to old age, it is important to find low-risk methods that can lead to the improvement of the physical fitness and activities of daily living (ADLs) in the elderly. Hence, this study aims to assess the effects of a technology-based exercise program on physical fitness and ADLs of the elderly people with balance impairment residing in nursing homes.

This is a clinical trial that was conducted on 60 older adults with balance impairment living in nursing homes in Shiraz, Iran. They were randomly divided into two groups of intervention (n=30) and control (n=30). The intervention group received technology-based exercises using the Xbox Kinect sensor at two sessions of 30-45 minutes per week for six weeks. The control group received the routine programs of nursing homes including walking and playing table tennis. After six weeks, their physical fitness and ADLs were measured using the senior fitness test (SFT) and the ADL questionnaire in both groups.

After the intervention, the mean score of ADL significantly increased (from 87.1±10.4 to 92.6±9.1) compared to the control group (from 86.5±11.3 to 85.1±1.2) (P=0.00). In addition, the intervention led to an increase in the SFT tests of chair stand test (P<0.001), arm curl test (P<0.001), chair sit and reach test (P=0.001), back scratch test (P=0.007) and 8-foot up & go test (P=0.001). These changes were not observed in the control group.

The technology-based exercise program is effective in increasing the physical fitness and ADLs of the elderly people with balance impairment residing in nursing homes, and can be replaced with team sports.