FALL PREVENTION AMONG OLDER ADULTS: CASE REPORTS EXEMPLIFYING THE VALUE OF INCORPORATING LUMBAR STABILIZATION TRAINING DURING BALANCE EXERCISES

Background: Older adults are at risk of falling each year. Fall injuries results in many health care expenses and disabilities, yet non-western countries lack the infra-structure and resources for prevention programs. Balance exercises have been found to be a cost effective evidence-based intervention in treating and preventing falls among older adults in western countries. Purpose: The aim of this report was to show that lumbar stabilization exercises are not only a beneficial addition to a balance program for the prevention and treatment of falls in older adults, but to demonstrate that these exercise can more rapidly improve the functional status of older adults, limiting healthcare costs. Case description: Two high functional older adults with a history of falls presented with poor balance and fear of falling. Both patients received the same balance exercise regime however lumbar stabilization exercises were added to one of the patient's exercise programs. Gait speed, lower extremity strength and balance were assessed with the Balance Evaluation systems test (BESTest), figure-of-eight, four-step-square (FSST), five-time-sit-to-stand tests (5TSTS) after two weeks and four weeks of treatment. Outcomes. All the outcome measures showed statistically significant improvements. Greater improvements in vertical stability limits (14%), gait speed (9%), stability during gait (20%) and five-time-sit-to-stand test were seen with the addition of lumbar stabilization exercises. Discussion. The addition of lumbar stabilization exercises during balance training is of value to improve gait speed, balance testing scores in stability in gait and vertical stability limits.