Interventions for addressing low balance confidence in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Debbie Rand*, William C. Miller, Jeanne Yiu, Janice J. Eng

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

61 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Low balance confidence is a major health problem among older adults restricting their participation in daily life. Objectives: To determine what interventions are most effective in increasing balance confidence in older adults. Design: Systematic review with meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials including at least one continuous end point of balance confidence. Studies, including adults 60 years or older without a neurological condition, were included in our study. Methods: The standardised mean difference (SMD) of continuous end points of balance confidence was calculated to estimate the pooled effect size with random-effect models. Methodological quality of trials was assessed using the Physical Therapy Evidence Database (PEDro) Scale. Results: Thirty studies were included in this review and a meta-analysis was conducted for 24 studies. Interventions were pooled into exercise (n = 9 trials, 453 subjects), Tai Chi (n = 5 trials, 468 subjects), multifactorial intervention (n = 10 trials, 1,233 subjects). Low significant effects were found for exercise and multifactorial interventions (SMD 0.22-0.31) and medium (SMD 0.48) significant effects were found for Tai Chi. Conclusion: Tai chi interventions are the most beneficial in increasing the balance confidence of older adults.

Original languageEnglish
Article numberafr037
Pages (from-to)297-306
Number of pages10
JournalAge and Ageing
Volume40
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2011

Funding

FundersFunder number
AstraZeneca
Heart and Stroke Foundation of British Columbia and Yukon
Canadian Stroke Network
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research

    Keywords

    • Balance confidence
    • Elderly
    • Older adults
    • Randomised controlled trials
    • Systematic review

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