Older Adults
Conditions
Brief summary
This study aims to compare the effectiveness of nervous system mobilization and exercise with exercise only on institutionalized older adults' postural control.
Detailed description
It is anticipated that 26 institutionalized older adults will be randomly allocated to receive either exercise and neural mobilization (n=13) or exercise only (n=13). Data on pain intensity (a vertical numeric rating scale) and location (body chart), depression (Geriatric Depression Scale), balance, hand grip strength, timed up and go and gait velocity will be collected at baseline, end of treatment and at 3 months follow up. Statistical analysis will be performed using a mixed-methods ANOVA.
Interventions
OTHERExercise
The exercise program will consist of: 1) warm up - consisting of stretches of large muscle groups of the upper limbs, lower limbs and trunk and by general mobility exercises; 2) strength training of moderate intensity; 3) balance training; 4) Cooling - will consist of performing overall stretching combined with deep breathing.
OTHERNeural mobilization
Neural gliding mobilization will target mainly the lower limb nerves and will be performed in series of 10 repetitions with 1 minute interval between series.
Sponsors
Aveiro University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* be 65 years of age or older; * to have independent gait with or without technical aid; * have indication of the institution's doctor for participation in the study
Exclusion criteria
* inability to understand study aims.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Gait velocity | Baseline | Participants are asked to walk at normal gait velocity over 4 meters and gait velocity is calculated |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pain intensity | Baseline | Pain intensity measured using a vertical numeric rating scale (Range: 0 to 10 and higher values are indicative of higher pain intensity) |
| Pain location | Baseline | Measured using a body chart (a graphic representation of the body) where participants identify painful body sites |
| Depressive symptoms | Baseline | Measured using the 15-itens Geriatric Depression Scale (range: 0-15; participants who score 5 or more have depression) |
| Balance | Baseline | Participants are asked to maintain a tandem/semi-tandem position for up to 30 seconds. |
| Timed up and go test | Baseline | Get up from a chair, walk 3 meters, go back to the chair and sit back. The amount of time that each participant takes to perform the task is taken. |
Countries
Portugal
Outcome results
None listed