Effectiveness of a community-based exercise program on balance performance and fear of falling in older nonfallers at risk for falling: A randomized, controlled study

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the community-based Exercise for Balance Improvement Program (ExBP) in improving dynamic balance (DB) and static balance with compromised sensations and reducing fear of falling (FF) among older nonfallers. Sixty-one participants (70 ± 3 years) at risk for falling were randomly allocated to receive ExBP practice for 16 weeks, Tai Chi (TC), or no treatment (CON) with an 8-week follow-up. The ExBP group exhibited signifcant improvements in DB (2.18, 95% CI = 1.16-3.19), static balance with compromised vision and somatosensation (ECSS; 0.46, 95% CI = 0.06-0.85), and FF (8.65, 95% CI = 0.52-16.8). After the intervention, the ExBP group showed signifcantly more improvement than did the CON group in DB, static balance with compromised somatosensation, and ECSS. No signifcant difference was observed between the ExBP and TC groups. Therefore, the ExBP can be applied as an effective alternative exercise regimen for improving balance and fall effcacy for older nonfallers.