Effects of Balance Training in Older Adults With Dementia

Effects of Task-oriented Balance Training in Institutionalized Older Adults With Dementia

Purpose -To investigate whether older adults with dementia who have balance and gait problems can improve their balance and gait function after an individualized 4-week tasks-oriented balance training with sensory manipulation.

Hypothesis

-There is significant difference of Timed Up and Go Test, Berg Balance Scale, walking speed, 30-s chair-stand test, Chair sit-and-reach test and Barthel Index between dementia patients who received tasks-oriented balance training and those didn't receive after 4-weeks training and one month follow-up.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patient provides oral consent, and written consent obtains from next of kin
• Older than 65 years
• Diagnosis of dementia, based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) or The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision (ICD-10)
• Can follow order to complete the screening test(Timed Up and Go test)
• Has balance and gait problems
• Can standing independently with/without assistive device or can standing with minimal assistance

Exclusion Criteria:

• Newly developed cardiopulmonary disease and other exercise contraindications
• Other neuromuscular or musculoskeletal disease that might affect the outcome(ex. Recent stroke, fracture or orthopedic surgery)