Effectiveness of Perturbation Balance Training in Future Falls Incidence and Falls Risk Reduction in a Frail Older Adult Residing in a Skilled Nursing Facility: A Case Report
Abstract :
ABSTRACT Background Falls incidents and falls-related mortalities and morbidities among older adults in the U.S have raised global concerns. Perturbation Balance Training (PBT) is considered a task-specific balance training that has shown to be effective in decreasing fall incidents among older adults. Purpose The purpose of this case study was to evaluate the effectiveness of PBT in improvement of future fall incidents and falls risk reduction in a frail older adult residing in a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF). Case Description J.B was an 89-year- old male with stage III laryngeal cancer residing in a SNF, with two recent episodes of falls. J.B’s level of function was decreased secondary to fear of future fall incidents. J.B performed overall 15 sessions of PBT as well as conventional physical therapy treatments for five weeks. Fall incidents and falls-related outcome measure scores compared pre and post training to determine the effectiveness of PBT in overall future fall risk reduction. Outcomes No falls occurred during and two weeks after the completion of the intervention. Mini-BESTest pre to post training scores was noticeable. (13/28 to 19/28, MDC: 3.5), also, improvement made in Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up & Go and Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale after five weeks of treatment. Discussion PBT can be considered as an effective balance training program to decrease future fall incidents in older adult population by improving reactionary stepping strategies in response to postural perturbations.