Effect of Core Muscle Strengthening on Balance and Quality of Life in Geriatric Patient

The core stability is capability of the muscles of the trunk to stabilize the lower spine during movement it maintains the human body in stable and erect posture. Aging leads to loss of balance and stability hence Core strengthening program help elderly to independence in life activity & also improve the balance and quality of life. Effect of core muscle strengthening was evaluated in present study.

Aims and Objectives: To determine the effect of core muscle strengthening on balance with the help of performance oriented mobility assessment (POMA) scale and assess quality of life with SF-12 questionnaire in geriatrics.

It is a community based longitudinal study.

Inclusion criteria: Both sex and age > 60 year who are clinically stable and functionally independent.

Subjects with conditions leading to incapacitation and functional impairment, with neurological conditions having altered balance, peripheral neuropathies, under psychiatric treatment, or impaired cognitive status.

Thirty subjects were enrolled in the study.

A routine history and clinical examination was carried out for selecting the subjects and basic demographic data was recorded. Pressure biofeedback was used to teach the subjects, an abdominal 'drawing-in' maneuver and a visual feedback was provided to understand the core muscle activation. Intervention: The subjects underwent a graded core muscle strengthening exercise protocol for 8 weeks period.

The outcome factors were the effectiveness of core strengthening on balance and quality of life were recorded with the help of POMA scale and SF-12 questionnaire respectively after the interventional exercises for 8 weeks.

The mean age of the subjects was 75.3 years, with SD. 6.456. Statistically significant improvements in total score on POMA scale improved from 22.5 to 24.83, p value<0.0001, balance score on POMA scale ore improved from 11.933 to 13.766, p value<0.0005, gait assessment score improved from 10.566 to 11.110, p value<0.0005 and Quality of Life scores on SF-12 improved from 30.533 to 32.660, p value<0.0005.

Core muscle strengthening program is effective in improving balance and quality of life in geriatrics subjects.