Effect of Stability Trainer Exercises with Mirror Feedback on Balance and Level of Physical Activity in Community Dwelling Elderly

Abstract

Background: Balance is always dependent on feedforward and feedback mechanism which can be classified

as intrinsic and extrinsic factors; with advancing age individuals will become more independent on external

factors. Stability trainer with mirror feedback will give sensory as well as visual feedback to train balance

in elderly. Objectives: To study the effect of stability trainer exercise with mirror feedback on Dynamic

balance using (FRT) & (TUG), functional balance task using (BBS); and on level of physical activity using

(PASE). Method: Our study was conducted amongst 60 subjects who were selected as per the inclusion and

exclusion criteria. Subjects were divided into 2 groups namely experimental (Group A) and control (Group

1. B) consisting of 30 individuals in each group. Demographic data including name, age, gender were noted.

The participants of Group A and B were assessed before and after treatment. Dynamic balance was assessed

using (FRT) & (TUG), functional balance task was assessed using (BBS); and on level of physical activity

was assessed using (PASE). Data was collected & statistically analysed. Results: Data was statistically

analyzed using Man-Whitney’s test for among the groups. On comparing TUG mean values of group

A=3.8secand group B=1.8sec with p value <0.0001 which is found to be significant. On comparing FRT

mean values of group A=6.37and group B=2.47 with p value <0.0001 which is found to be significant. On

comparing BBS mean scores of group A=31.93and group B=40.63 with p value <0.0001 which is found to

be significant. On comparing PASE mean values of group A=39.43and group B=42.27 with p value=0.0014

which is found to be significant. Conclusion: The study concluded that stability trainer exercises with mirror

feedback is extremely effective for balance training and improving level of physical activity in community

dwelling elderly.