Journal List > J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs > v.30(1) > 1119694

Kim and Song: Effects of a Stim up Mat Walking Exercise Program on Balance, Gait Function and Joint Motion Range of the Frail Elderly

Abstract

Purpose

This study was performed to evaluate effects of a stim-up matt walking exercise program on balance and gait of the frail elderly.

Methods

A total of 37 elderly people recruited from S city were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=22) and control group (n=15). The stim-up matt walking exercise program was offered twice a week for 8 weeks. Data were analyzed by SPSS 21.0.

Results

The dynamic balance ability Timed Up and Go test of the experimental group was significantly faster than that of the control group (t=21.72, p<.001). The static balance ability open-eye standing test (t=44.15, p<.001) and close-eye standing test (t=9.01, p=.005) also showed increase in effects of the experimental group. In the walking ability, gait cycle (t=2.48, p=.018), cadence (t=−2.21, p=.034) and gait speed (t=−2.78, p=.009), positive effects were on. However, no statistically significant differences were found in stride length and double support. At the ankle joint range left ankle plantar flexion (t=3.92, p<.001) and left ankle dorsal flexion (t=4.51, p<.001) were higher in the experimental group than in the control group, and also right ankle plantar flexion (t=2.79, p=.008) and right ankle dorsal flexion (t=2.92, p=.006) increased in the experimental group.

Conclusion

The significance of this study is that the stim-up matt walking exercise program for the frail elderly proves to be useful for improving balance and walking.

Figures and Tables

Figure 1

Flow diagram.

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Table 1

Stim Up Matt Walking Program

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Table 2

Homogeneity Test of General Characteristics in Groups

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Exp.=experimental group; Cont.=control group; BMI=body mass index; WC=waist circumference; Fisher's exact test.

Table 3

Balance Ability, Gait Function and, ROM in Both Ankles Variables in Pretest

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Exp.=experimental group; Cont.=control group; ROM=range of motion; TUG=timed up & go; Lt.=Left; Rt.=right; PF=plantar flexion; DF=dorsal flexion.

Table 4

Comparison of Balance Ability, Gait Function and, ROM in Both Ankles between Two Groups in Posttest

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Exp.=experimental group; Cont.=control group; ROM=range of motion; TUG=timed up & go; Lt.=left; Rt.=right; PF=plantar flexion; DF=dorsal flexion; Measured by ANCOVA with pre-test score as co-variate.

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TOOLS
ORCID iDs

Gyeong Ran Kim
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6847-5155

Mi Sook Song
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3356-4489

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