Wallmann H, Kruskall L, Tompkins D, Trout S; University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV. hwallmann@ccmail.nevada.edu.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the effect of an exercise program on balance and activities of daily living (ADL). SUBJECTS: Thirty-four elderly subjects residing in three different assisted living facilities participated in the initial evaluation. Secondary to compliance issues and attrition, only 13 of the 34 subjects, three of whom were control, were available for reevaluation and data analysis. The three control group members were excluded from data analysis due to the low group size, leaving the remaining ten subjects who underwent the intervention to be included in the analysis. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Ten subjects completed an eight-week exercise program consisting of upper and lower extremity exercises. The exercises were 20-30 minutes in duration and were attended two to three times per week. Baseline balance data was collected through the use of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and initial ADL data was gathered through the use of the Functional Assessment Screening Questionnaire (FASQ) and the Katz Index of ADL. Following completion of the exercise intervention program, all of the subjects were reassessed using the same balance and ADL assessment scales. ANALYSES: A paired samples t-test and Friedman’s test were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: A significant increase was noted from pre (36.10 +/- 9.550) to post (42.10 +/- 10.376) BBS (t = 4.315, p = .002) and from pre (32.62 +/- 6.488) to post (37.00 +/- 7.292) FASQ (t = 2.851, p = .015). Friedman’s test was significant for pre to post Katz Index of ADL (p = .046) with a chi-square value of 4.000. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that administration of an exercise program focusing on increasing upper and lower extremity strength may be beneficial in improving balance and increasing functional gains associated with ADL’s. Future research should consider the use of larger control group and sample sizes. FUNDING SOURCE: State of Nevada Office of the Attorney General. (No potential for material gain).

Copyright 2004 by the American Physical Therapy Association

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