The effect of the ProBalance Programme on health-related quality of life of community-dwelling older adults: A randomised controlled trial

Bruna R Gouveia; Élvio R Gouveia; Andreas Ihle; Helena G Jardim; Maria M Martins; Duarte L Freitas; Matthias Kliegel

doi:10.1016/j.archger.2017.08.012

The effect of the ProBalance Programme on health-related quality of life of community-dwelling older adults: A randomised controlled trial

Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2018 Jan:74:26-31. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2017.08.012. Epub 2017 Sep 13.

Authors

Bruna R Gouveia¹, Élvio R Gouveia², Andreas Ihle³, Helena G Jardim⁴, Maria M Martins⁵, Duarte L Freitas⁶, Matthias Kliegel³

Affiliations

¹ Saint Joseph of Cluny Higher School of Nursing, Funchal, Portugal; Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Health and Social Affairs Administration Institute of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, Funchal, Portugal. Electronic address: bgouveia@esesjcluny.pt.
² Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, Funchal, Portugal; Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
³ Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Swiss National Center of Competences in Research LIVES-Overcoming vulnerability: life course perspectives, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Psychology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
⁴ Higher School of Health, University of Madeira, Funchal, Portugal.
⁵ Higher School of Nursing of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
⁶ Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, Funchal, Portugal; Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom.

PMID: 28941936
DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2017.08.012

Abstract

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an important health outcome in older adults. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of the ProBalance rehabilitation programme on HRQoL of community-dwelling older adults with balance impairments and to investigate whether effects differ between age groups and/or HRQoL components.

Methods: A single-blind, randomised controlled trial included community-dwelling older adults, aged 65-85, with balance impairments. Participants (n=52) were randomly allocated to an intervention group (IG) or a control group (CG). A rehabilitation programme included gait, balance, functional training, strengthening, flexibility, and 3D training. A group-based intervention was administered over a period of 12 weeks (90-min sessions, 2days per week). A wait-list control group was instructed to maintain their usual activities during the same period. Participants' HRQoL was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire. The time points for assessment were at zero (pre-test), 12 (post-test), and 24 weeks (follow up).

Results: A trend for higher HRQoL in the IG compared to the CG and a significant interaction of group with time were found, with significantly higher increases in HRQoL from the pre-test to the post-test (and to follow-up) in the IG, compared to the CG.

Results: were independent of age group (young-old vs. old-old) and HRQoL component (physical vs. mental).

Conclusions: Present results suggest that the ProBalance programme had a beneficial effect on HRQoL of community-dwelling older adults, which held across young and old adults and not only comprised physical but also mental HRQoL.

Clinical trial registration number: ACTRN12612000301864.

Keywords: Aging; Balance training; Gerontology; Health promotion; Quality of life; Rehabilitation.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Female
Gait
Humans
Independent Living / psychology*
Male
Postural Balance*
Quality of Life*
Single-Blind Method