Evaluating square stepping exercise and brain training for balance improvement and fall prevention in elderly: implications for Thai-reed mat: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of square stepping exercise plus brain training program in elderly patients and provide information to assist clinicians in making evidence-based decisions on using Thai-reed mat to improve balance and prevent falling.

Materials and Methods: We compared a Thai-reed mat exercise program plus brain training with general balance exercise in a single-blind, randomized controlled trial. In total, 60 elderly participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (12-week mat exercise program) and a control group (12-week general balance exercise). The primary outcomes were the change in the physical performance test and the number of fallers.

Results: The intervention group showed a mean increase of 7.81 repetitions in the 30-second chair stand test (95% confidence interval (CI) 5.82–9.19), while the control group showed a mean increase of 2.3 repetitions (95% CI 2.04–5.68). The mat exercise program provided significant benefits over general balance exercise in terms of a higher mean TUG difference of 6.51 sec (95% CI 4.14–8.01) in the intervention group compared with 9.31 sec; 95% CI 7.03-11.45) in the control group (p = 0.01) and the gait speed of 0.83 m/sec (95% CI 0.61–1.02) in the intervention group and of 0.32 m/sec (95% CI 0.21–0.45) in the control group (p = 0.04). The number of fallers was 3.33% and 6.66% in the intervention and control groups, respectively.

Conclusion: Square stepping exercise with brain training using Thai-reed mat should be implemented as the key components in fall prevention programs for the elderly.