Long-Term Effects of Exercise on Balance and Fear of Falling in Community-Dwelling Elderly

Abstract

Falls are the main cause of injuries in the elderly, with an estimated 684,000 fatal falls each year, 60% of which occur in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific. Studies on the long-term effects of balance training are still limited. This study aimed to assess the long-term impact of physical exercise on the balance and fear of falling in community-dwelling elderly. This was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-post design. The participants were recruited using purposive sampling. The inclusion criteria were older people ≥60 years old with balance problems. They received a one-month physical exercise. The instruments included the Functional Reach Test (FRT) to assess balance and the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) to assess fear of falling. The assessment was conducted pre-and post-intervention and two years later. Data from 23 participants were collected in 2017 and 2019. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test and linear mixed model regression. There were significant differences in FRT and FES-I between pre-and post-intervention, pre-intervention, and two years later. There was no significant difference in FRT and FES-I between post-intervention and two years after. There was a significant improvement in the balance and fear of falling one month and two years after the program. The balance program had a long-term effect that lasted at least two years. The inclusion of the balance program in community-based health programs for the elderly can improve balance and prevent falls.