Balance-recovery training may lower risk of falls for older adults and people with Parkinson’s disease

Mansfield A, Wong JS, Bryce J, et al. Does perturbation-based balance training prevent falls? Systematic review and meta-analysis of preliminary randomized controlled trials Physical Therapy. 2015;95:700-709.

Review question

Does perturbation-based (balance recovery) balance training lower risk of falls for older adults and individuals with Parkinson’s disease?

Background

Age-related body changes along with nerve conditions can contribute to poor balance and increased fall risk. Past research has shown that exercise with a focus on balance training can prevent falls, but studies of specific exercises or among people with specific conditions are limited. ‘Perturbation-based balance training’ (PBT) uses a balance-recovery approach to help improve a person’s reaction to losing their balance (eg. using a moving platform or nudges from a therapist) and has the potential to improve balance control better than other training methods.

How the review was done

This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of 8 randomized controlled trials published between 2004 and 2014. All study participants (404 total) were between the ages of 50 and 98. The studies focused on different populations including healthy older adults, frail older adults or individuals with neurological conditions (such as Parkinson’s disease). In all studies, some older adults participated in PBT while the control group participated in other forms of balance training or other types of exercise. Researchers measured number of people who experienced a fall and total number of falls among all participants.

What the researchers found

Six studies found that participants who completed PBT were less likely to fall and reported fewer falls than those in the control groups. Overall, participants who completed PBT reported fewer falls in daily life than those in the control group.

Conclusion

Perturbation-based (balance recovery) balance training can lower risk of falls for older adults and individuals with Parkinson’s disease.