W Verrusio1,2, V Gianturco3, M Cacciafesta3, V Marigliano3, G Troisi3, M Ripani4. 1. Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Anestesiological and Geriatric Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy. walter.verrusio@uniroma1.it. 2. , Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy. walter.verrusio@uniroma1.it. 3. Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Anestesiological and Geriatric Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy. 4. Department of Human Movement, Social and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Fall risk in elderly has been related with physical decline, low quality of life and reduced survival. AIM: To evaluate the impact of exoskeleton human body posturizer (HBP) on the fall risk in the elderly. METHODS: 150 subjects (mean age 64.85; 79 M/71 F) with mild fall risk were randomized into two groups: 75 for group treated with human body posturizer (HBP group) and 75 for physical training without HBP group (exercise group). The effects of interventions were assessed by differences in tests related to balance and falls. Medically eligible patients were screened with Tinetti balance and Gait evaluation scale, short physical performance battery and numeric pain rating scale to determine fall risk in elderly people. RESULTS: In the HBP group there was a significant improvement in short physical performance battery, Tinetti scale and Pain Numeric rating scale with a significant reduction in fall risk (p < 0.05). In the exercise group we observed only minimal variations in the test scores. DISCUSSION: The results at the sixth and twelfth months show a twofold positive effect in the HBP group reducing fall risk and improving quality of life by reducing pain. CONCLUSION: The use of exoskeleton human body posturizer seems to be a new significant device for prevention of fall in elderly patients. Further research should be carried out to obtain more evidence on effects of robotic technology for fall prevention in the elderly.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Fall risk in elderly has been related with physical decline, low quality of life and reduced survival. AIM: To evaluate the impact of exoskeleton human body posturizer (HBP) on the fall risk in the elderly. METHODS: 150 subjects (mean age 64.85; 79 M/71 F) with mild fall risk were randomized into two groups: 75 for group treated with human body posturizer (HBP group) and 75 for physical training without HBP group (exercise group). The effects of interventions were assessed by differences in tests related to balance and falls. Medically eligible patients were screened with Tinetti balance and Gait evaluation scale, short physical performance battery and numeric pain rating scale to determine fall risk in elderly people. RESULTS: In the HBP group there was a significant improvement in short physical performance battery, Tinetti scale and Pain Numeric rating scale with a significant reduction in fall risk (p < 0.05). In the exercise group we observed only minimal variations in the test scores. DISCUSSION: The results at the sixth and twelfth months show a twofold positive effect in the HBP group reducing fall risk and improving quality of life by reducing pain. CONCLUSION: The use of exoskeleton human body posturizer seems to be a new significant device for prevention of fall in elderly patients. Further research should be carried out to obtain more evidence on effects of robotic technology for fall prevention in the elderly.
Entities:
Keywords:
Elderly; Exoskeleton; Fall prevention; Posture; Quality of life
Authors: Santiago J Saldana; Anthony P Marsh; W Jack Rejeski; Jack K Haberl; Peggy Wu; Scott Rosenthal; Edward H Ip Journal: Clin Interv Aging Date: 2017-08-26 Impact factor: 4.458
Authors: Christopher A C M Ng; Nicola Fairhall; Geraldine Wallbank; Anne Tiedemann; Zoe A Michaleff; Catherine Sherrington Journal: BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med Date: 2019-12-16