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Exercise for improving balance in older people

  1. Tracey E Howe1,*,
  2. Lynn Rochester2,
  3. Alison Jackson3,
  4. Pauline MH Banks4,
  5. Valerie A Blair5

Editorial Group: Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group

Published Online: 8 OCT 2008

Assessed as up-to-date: 26 JUL 2007

DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004963.pub2

Database Title

Additional Information

How to Cite

Howe TE, Rochester L, Jackson A, Banks PMH, Blair VA. Exercise for improving balance in older people. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD004963. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004963.pub2.

Author Information

  1. 1

    Glasgow Caledonian University, HealthQWest, Glasgow, Scotland, UK

  2. 2

    Northumbria University, School of Health, Community and Education Studies, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

  3. 3

    University of Glasgow, Department of Psychological Medicine, Glasgow, UK

  4. 4

    HealthQWest, School of Health Studies, Hamilton, Lanarkshire, UK

  5. 5

    Bell College, School of Health Studies, Hamilton, Lanarkshire, UK

*Tracey E Howe, HealthQWest, Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow, Scotland, G4 0BA, UK. tracey.howe@gcal.ac.uk.

Publication History

  1. Publication Status: Edited (no change to conclusions)
  2. Published Online: 8 OCT 2008

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[Analysis 1.1]
Analysis 1.1. Comparison 1 Gait, balance, co-ordination, functional tasks exercise versus control, Outcome 1 AP stability during stance (quiet and dynamic) eyes open: lower values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 1.2]
Analysis 1.2. Comparison 1 Gait, balance, co-ordination, functional tasks exercise versus control, Outcome 2 Mediolateral stability during stance (quiet and dynamic) eyes open: lower values indicate better balance.
[Analysis 1.3]
Analysis 1.3. Comparison 1 Gait, balance, co-ordination, functional tasks exercise versus control, Outcome 3 AP stability during quiet stance eyes closed: lower values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 1.4]
Analysis 1.4. Comparison 1 Gait, balance, co-ordination, functional tasks exercise versus control, Outcome 4 Mediolateral stability during quiet stance eyes closed: lower values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 1.5]
Analysis 1.5. Comparison 1 Gait, balance, co-ordination, functional tasks exercise versus control, Outcome 5 Functional base of support during dynamic test (distance): higher values indicate greater balance ability.
[Analysis 1.6]
Analysis 1.6. Comparison 1 Gait, balance, co-ordination, functional tasks exercise versus control, Outcome 6 Loss of balance during sensory organisation test (errors): less errors indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 1.7]
Analysis 1.7. Comparison 1 Gait, balance, co-ordination, functional tasks exercise versus control, Outcome 7 Maxium excursion of limits of stability (LOS) test: higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 1.8]
Analysis 1.8. Comparison 1 Gait, balance, co-ordination, functional tasks exercise versus control, Outcome 8 Single leg stance eyes open (force platform measures): lower values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 1.9]
Analysis 1.9. Comparison 1 Gait, balance, co-ordination, functional tasks exercise versus control, Outcome 9 Single leg stance eyes closed (force platform measures): lower values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 1.10]
Analysis 1.10. Comparison 1 Gait, balance, co-ordination, functional tasks exercise versus control, Outcome 10 Single leg stance time eyes open (s): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 1.11]
Analysis 1.11. Comparison 1 Gait, balance, co-ordination, functional tasks exercise versus control, Outcome 11 Single leg stance time eyes closed (s): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 1.12]
Analysis 1.12. Comparison 1 Gait, balance, co-ordination, functional tasks exercise versus control, Outcome 12 Functional Reach Test: higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 1.13]
Analysis 1.13. Comparison 1 Gait, balance, co-ordination, functional tasks exercise versus control, Outcome 13 Timed up and go test (s): lower values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 1.14]
Analysis 1.14. Comparison 1 Gait, balance, co-ordination, functional tasks exercise versus control, Outcome 14 Self paced gait speed: higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 1.15]
Analysis 1.15. Comparison 1 Gait, balance, co-ordination, functional tasks exercise versus control, Outcome 15 Walking on a beam (m): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 1.16]
Analysis 1.16. Comparison 1 Gait, balance, co-ordination, functional tasks exercise versus control, Outcome 16 Berg Balance Scale (score out of 56) higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 2.1]
Analysis 2.1. Comparison 2 Strengthening exercise versus control, Outcome 1 Functional base of support during dynamic test (distance): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 2.2]
Analysis 2.2. Comparison 2 Strengthening exercise versus control, Outcome 2 Loss of balance during sensory organisation test (errors): less errors indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 2.3]
Analysis 2.3. Comparison 2 Strengthening exercise versus control, Outcome 3 Tilt board (s) post-pre change scores: higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 2.4]
Analysis 2.4. Comparison 2 Strengthening exercise versus control, Outcome 4 Single leg stance time eyes open (s): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 2.5]
Analysis 2.5. Comparison 2 Strengthening exercise versus control, Outcome 5 Single leg stance time eyes closed (s): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 2.6]
Analysis 2.6. Comparison 2 Strengthening exercise versus control, Outcome 6 Tandem walk over 10 feet (s): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 2.7]
Analysis 2.7. Comparison 2 Strengthening exercise versus control, Outcome 7 Tandem stance (s): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 2.8]
Analysis 2.8. Comparison 2 Strengthening exercise versus control, Outcome 8 Functional Reach Test (FRT) (cm) pre-post change scores: lower values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 2.9]
Analysis 2.9. Comparison 2 Strengthening exercise versus control, Outcome 9 Timed up and go test (TUG) (s): lower values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 2.10]
Analysis 2.10. Comparison 2 Strengthening exercise versus control, Outcome 10 Gait speed: higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 2.11]
Analysis 2.11. Comparison 2 Strengthening exercise versus control, Outcome 11 Balance beam: post-pre change scores (s): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 3.1]
Analysis 3.1. Comparison 3 3D (Tai Chi, Gi Gong, dance, yoga) versus control, Outcome 1 AP stability during stance (quiet and dynamic) eyes open: lower values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 3.2]
Analysis 3.2. Comparison 3 3D (Tai Chi, Gi Gong, dance, yoga) versus control, Outcome 2 Mediolateral stability during stance (quiet and dynamic) eyes open: lower values indicate better balance.
[Analysis 3.3]
Analysis 3.3. Comparison 3 3D (Tai Chi, Gi Gong, dance, yoga) versus control, Outcome 3 AP stability during quiet stance eyes closed: lower values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 3.4]
Analysis 3.4. Comparison 3 3D (Tai Chi, Gi Gong, dance, yoga) versus control, Outcome 4 Mediolateral stability during quiet stance eyes closed: lower values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 3.5]
Analysis 3.5. Comparison 3 3D (Tai Chi, Gi Gong, dance, yoga) versus control, Outcome 5 Area during narrow stance eyes open post-pre change scores (mm2/s): lower values indicate better balance.
[Analysis 3.6]
Analysis 3.6. Comparison 3 3D (Tai Chi, Gi Gong, dance, yoga) versus control, Outcome 6 Angular radius narrow stance eyes open post-pre change scores (mm): lower values indicate better balance.
[Analysis 3.7]
Analysis 3.7. Comparison 3 3D (Tai Chi, Gi Gong, dance, yoga) versus control, Outcome 7 Area during narrow stance eyes closed post-pre change scores (mm2/s): lower values indicate better balance.
[Analysis 3.8]
Analysis 3.8. Comparison 3 3D (Tai Chi, Gi Gong, dance, yoga) versus control, Outcome 8 Angular radius narrow stance eyes closed post-pre change scores (mm): lower values indicate better balance.
[Analysis 3.9]
Analysis 3.9. Comparison 3 3D (Tai Chi, Gi Gong, dance, yoga) versus control, Outcome 9 Omnidirectional tilt board post-pre change scores (s): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 3.10]
Analysis 3.10. Comparison 3 3D (Tai Chi, Gi Gong, dance, yoga) versus control, Outcome 10 Single leg stance time eyes open (s): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 3.11]
Analysis 3.11. Comparison 3 3D (Tai Chi, Gi Gong, dance, yoga) versus control, Outcome 11 Single leg stance time eyes closed (s): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 3.12]
Analysis 3.12. Comparison 3 3D (Tai Chi, Gi Gong, dance, yoga) versus control, Outcome 12 Functional Reach Test (cm): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 3.13]
Analysis 3.13. Comparison 3 3D (Tai Chi, Gi Gong, dance, yoga) versus control, Outcome 13 Gait speed: higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 3.14]
Analysis 3.14. Comparison 3 3D (Tai Chi, Gi Gong, dance, yoga) versus control, Outcome 14 Wide balance beam post-pre change scores (m/s): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 3.15]
Analysis 3.15. Comparison 3 3D (Tai Chi, Gi Gong, dance, yoga) versus control, Outcome 15 Narrow balance beam post-pre change scores (m/s): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 4.1]
Analysis 4.1. Comparison 4 General physical activity versus control, Outcome 1 Postural sway double stance (post-pre change scores): lower values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 4.2]
Analysis 4.2. Comparison 4 General physical activity versus control, Outcome 2 Functional Reach Test (cm): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 4.3]
Analysis 4.3. Comparison 4 General physical activity versus control, Outcome 3 Timed up and go test (s): lower values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 5.1]
Analysis 5.1. Comparison 5 General physical activity (walking) versus control, Outcome 1 Area during narrow stance eyes open post-pre change scores (mm2/s): lower values indicate better balance.
[Analysis 5.2]
Analysis 5.2. Comparison 5 General physical activity (walking) versus control, Outcome 2 Angular radius narrow stance eyes open post-pre change scores (mm): lower values indicate better balance.
[Analysis 5.3]
Analysis 5.3. Comparison 5 General physical activity (walking) versus control, Outcome 3 Area during narrow stance eyes closed post-pre change scores (mm2/s): lower values indicate better balance.
[Analysis 5.4]
Analysis 5.4. Comparison 5 General physical activity (walking) versus control, Outcome 4 Angular radius narrow stance eyes closed post-pre change scores (mm): lower values indicate better balance.
[Analysis 5.6]
Analysis 5.6. Comparison 5 General physical activity (walking) versus control, Outcome 6 Dynamic balance lateral axis (degrees): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 5.7]
Analysis 5.7. Comparison 5 General physical activity (walking) versus control, Outcome 7 Omnidirectional tilt board post-pre change scores (s): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 5.8]
Analysis 5.8. Comparison 5 General physical activity (walking) versus control, Outcome 8 AP tilt board post-pre change score (s): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 5.9]
Analysis 5.9. Comparison 5 General physical activity (walking) versus control, Outcome 9 Single leg stance time eyes open (s): Higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 5.10]
Analysis 5.10. Comparison 5 General physical activity (walking) versus control, Outcome 10 Single leg stance time eyes closed (s): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 5.11]
Analysis 5.11. Comparison 5 General physical activity (walking) versus control, Outcome 11 Tandem walk over 10 feet (s): lower values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 5.12]
Analysis 5.12. Comparison 5 General physical activity (walking) versus control, Outcome 12 Tandem stance (s): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 5.13]
Analysis 5.13. Comparison 5 General physical activity (walking) versus control, Outcome 13 Functional Reach Test (cm): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 5.14]
Analysis 5.14. Comparison 5 General physical activity (walking) versus control, Outcome 14 Self paced gait velocity (m/min): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 5.15]
Analysis 5.15. Comparison 5 General physical activity (walking) versus control, Outcome 15 Wide balance beam post-pre change scores (m/s): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 5.16]
Analysis 5.16. Comparison 5 General physical activity (walking) versus control, Outcome 16 Narrow balance beam post-pre change scores (m/s): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 6.1]
Analysis 6.1. Comparison 6 General physical activity (cycling) versus control, Outcome 1 Area during narrow stance eyes open post-pre change scores (mm2/s): lower values indicate better balance.
[Analysis 6.2]
Analysis 6.2. Comparison 6 General physical activity (cycling) versus control, Outcome 2 Angular radius narrow stance eyes open post-pre change scores (mm): lower values indicate better balance.
[Analysis 6.3]
Analysis 6.3. Comparison 6 General physical activity (cycling) versus control, Outcome 3 Area narrow stance eyes closed post-pre change scores (mm2/s): lower values indicate better balance.
[Analysis 6.4]
Analysis 6.4. Comparison 6 General physical activity (cycling) versus control, Outcome 4 Angular radius narrow stance eyes closed post-pre change scores (mm): lower values indicate better balance.
[Analysis 6.5]
Analysis 6.5. Comparison 6 General physical activity (cycling) versus control, Outcome 5 AP tilt board post-pre change score (s): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 6.6]
Analysis 6.6. Comparison 6 General physical activity (cycling) versus control, Outcome 6 Omnidirectional tilt board post-pre change scores (s): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 6.7]
Analysis 6.7. Comparison 6 General physical activity (cycling) versus control, Outcome 7 Self paced gait velocity post-pre change scores (m/min): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 6.8]
Analysis 6.8. Comparison 6 General physical activity (cycling) versus control, Outcome 8 Wide balance beam post-pre change scores (m/s): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 6.9]
Analysis 6.9. Comparison 6 General physical activity (cycling) versus control, Outcome 9 Narrow balance beam post-pre change scores (m/s): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 7.1]
Analysis 7.1. Comparison 7 Multiple exercise types versus control, Outcome 1 Functional base of support (distance) during dynamic test: higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 7.2]
Analysis 7.2. Comparison 7 Multiple exercise types versus control, Outcome 2 Maximal balance range (cm) during dynamic test: higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 7.3]
Analysis 7.3. Comparison 7 Multiple exercise types versus control, Outcome 3 Total distance travelled by COP during quiet stance (mm): lower values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 7.4]
Analysis 7.4. Comparison 7 Multiple exercise types versus control, Outcome 4 Sway (mm) during dynamic test: higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 7.5]
Analysis 7.5. Comparison 7 Multiple exercise types versus control, Outcome 5 Body sway (cm): lower values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 7.6]
Analysis 7.6. Comparison 7 Multiple exercise types versus control, Outcome 6 Loss of balance during sensory organisation test (errors): less errors indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 7.7]
Analysis 7.7. Comparison 7 Multiple exercise types versus control, Outcome 7 Co-ordinated stability (errors): less errors indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 7.8]
Analysis 7.8. Comparison 7 Multiple exercise types versus control, Outcome 8 Single leg stance time eyes open (s): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 7.9]
Analysis 7.9. Comparison 7 Multiple exercise types versus control, Outcome 9 Single leg stance time eyes closed (s): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 7.10]
Analysis 7.10. Comparison 7 Multiple exercise types versus control, Outcome 10 Semitandem stance time (s): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 7.11]
Analysis 7.11. Comparison 7 Multiple exercise types versus control, Outcome 11 Parallel stance time (s): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 7.12]
Analysis 7.12. Comparison 7 Multiple exercise types versus control, Outcome 12 Tandem stance time (s): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 7.13]
Analysis 7.13. Comparison 7 Multiple exercise types versus control, Outcome 13 Tandem walk (number of steps): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 7.14]
Analysis 7.14. Comparison 7 Multiple exercise types versus control, Outcome 14 Tandem walk (s): lower values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 7.15]
Analysis 7.15. Comparison 7 Multiple exercise types versus control, Outcome 15 Functional Reach Test (cm): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 7.16]
Analysis 7.16. Comparison 7 Multiple exercise types versus control, Outcome 16 Gait speed: higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 8.1]
Analysis 8.1. Comparison 8 Sensitivity analyses for effect of clustering, Outcome 1 (01.10) Single leg stance time eyes open (s): higher values indicate better balance ability.
[Analysis 8.2]
Analysis 8.2. Comparison 8 Sensitivity analyses for effect of clustering, Outcome 2 (01.14) Self paced gait speed: higher values indicate better balance ability.
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