Physiotherapy

Biography

Biography: Faris Alshammari

Abstract

One out of three people who are 65 years or older fall every year. Studies have shown a direct relationship between increased
body sway and the incidence of falling in the elderly. Body sway increases with aging due to age related degenerative
changes or higher incidence of diseases such as diabetes. Th e purpose of this study was to examine the eff ect of tactile feedback
(novel intervention) compared to visual feedback on body sway in elderly with or without diabetes. Twenty eight normal
healthy elderly people and 23 elderly with Type 2 Diabetes were assigned randomly to either tactile feedback or visual feedback
intervention. Body sway was measured using a balance platform while standing on platform with eyes open then eyes closed
and standing on foam with eyes open then eyes closed. Th ere was no signifi cant diff erence between groups using visual feedback
or tactile feedback. However, there was a signifi cant reduction in body sway using tactile feedback in elderly while standing on
foam with eyes open (1.0± .31 vs. 1.9± .8, p=.006) and eyes closed (1.8± .7 vs. 3.3± 1.5, p=.001). In the elderly with diabetes,
there was a signifi cant reduction in body sway using tactile feedback while standing on foam with eyes closed (1.4± .5 vs. 2.3±
.8, p=.045) but not with eyes open. Th ere was signifi cant reduction in body sway in elderly with diabetes using visual feedback
while standing on foam with eyes open (1.3± .5 vs. 2.1± 1.1; p=.018) and eyes closed (2.0±.8 vs 3.1±2.1; p=.003). Th ere was
signifi cant reduction in body sway using visual feedback in the elderly while standing on foam with feet apart and eyes open
(1.4± .7 vs1.8±.9; p=.023), and eyes closed (1.9± .9 vs. 3.4± 1.8; p=.002). Th is study off ers a novel technique to improve body
balance in elderly with or without diabetes.