Joanne Kua – Abstract

The effects of a specialized treadmill system on gait speed and gait parameters for older adults with high falls risk

Kua J[1], Wong WC[1], Ramason R[1], Selvaganapathi N[1], Yu CS[2], Ng D[1], Yap J[3], Yeo A[4], Tan CN[4], Win KK[1] and Ismail NH[3]
1. Department of Geriatric Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Institute of Geriatrics and Active Aging, Singapore
2. Department of Engineering, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore
3. Department of Continuing and Community Care, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
4. Institute of Geriatrics and Active Aging, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore

Treadmill exercises can improve gait parameters in patients with strokes and parkinson’s disease. There is limited research on treadmill exercise in falls prevention for older adults. Our study evaluates the impact of exercising on a specialized treadmill machine on gait speed and gait parameters in older adults at risk of falls. A single blinded randomized controlled study was conducted. Interventions consisted of either 60 minutes of usual care exercises; 30 minutes of usual care exercises plus 30 minutes of normal treadmill belt walking exercises or 30 minutes of usual care exercises plus 30 minutes of uneven treadmill belt walking exercises. Exercises were done twice per week. Follow up was 6 weeks. Gait and balance parameters were assessed at baseline, week 3 and at week 6. 46 participants (usual care n= 15; normal belt treadmill n=16; uneven belt treadmill n= 15) were randomized (mean age 74.95 ± 6.34 years (61- 85) and 56.5% (n=26) females). The 3 groups are similar in baseline characteristics. 4 participants dropped out leaving 42 participants for per protocol analysis. Gait speed (t(13)= -3.36, p= 0.005, d= 0.50) and 10m walk time (t(13)= 2.73, p= 0.017, d= 0.45) improved in the uneven belt treadmill group but not in the other two groups. Cadence (t(12)=-1.06, p= 0.037, d= 0.47) improved in the normal belt treadmill group but not in the other two groups. Exercising on the modified treadmill system can improve gait speed and gait parameters in older adults who are at high risk of falls.

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  2. Patterson SL, Rodgers MM, Macko RF, Forrester LW (2008) Effect of treadmill exercise training on spatial and temporal gait parameters in subjects with chronic stroke: A preliminary report. J Rehabil Res Dev 45(2): 221-228