Effects of 4 Weeks Home Based Single Leg Stance Exercise Programme in Senior Citizens Living in Rural and Urban Areas

Abstract

Background: Balance impairment is a common problem in senior citizens aged from 60 years and above to perform independently all the functional activities. Static balance exercise is performed as an exercise intervention which helps to strengthen the lower extremities, increase balance confidence and performance in senior citizens. Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of 4 weeks home based single leg stance exercise programme in senior citizens living in rural and urban areas. Methodology: After fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria, a written consent form was taken from all 30 senior citizens who were selected through simple random sampling. Activities Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale and Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test was taken pre-intervention and post-intervention. Out of which,15 rural participants who visited the physiotherapy setting were given intervention through personal appointments and other 15 urban participants were given intervention through tele-rehabilitation. The intervention period consisted of 4 weeks, twice a day and 3 times a week. Results: There was a significant difference in the ABC and TUG values in paired t-test considering pre-intervention and post-intervention results among rural and urban population. But there was no significant difference in ABC and TUG values in unpaired t-test considering post-intervention results between rural and urban population. Conclusion: The effect of 4 weeks home based single leg stance exercise programme was effective in both the groups of population irrespective of living in rural or urban areas. Key words: Activities Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale, Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test, Balance exercise – Single leg stance exercise.