Older Adult Traditional Balance Training vs Traditional Balance Training Plus Neck Strengthening

Older Adult Traditional Balance Training vs Traditional Balance Training Plus Neck Strengthening

This study promotes greater understanding of factors impacting balance and how neck strength alters specific aspects of impaired balance. This study will help physical therapist protocols target a wholistic approach to treat fall risk individuals.

This study will use an interventional neck strengthening exercises along with physical therapist standard of care for balance for community dwelling older adults at fall risk.

The study has three aims: (1) evaluate the effects of a 6-week neck strengthening intervention on sensorimotor function in community-dwelling older adults at risk for falls, (2) examine the impact of neck strengthening on functional mobility and clinical balance performance, and (3) determine the effect of neck strengthening on psychosocial outcomes related to fall risk.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 65 + for age appropriate for Medicare-based guidelines
• No previous upper cervical spine surgery
• Intracranial bleed within the last 6 months
• No recent orthopedic surgical intervention or injury that limits weight-bearing capacity on one side in the past 6 months
• Able to stand for at least 30 seconds without any sort of upper-extremity assistance

Exclusion Criteria:

• legally blind
• taking meclizine
• unable to follow simple motor commands