Originally published July 30 2005
Exercise lowers the risk of elderly falls
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
A decreased risk of falls in older women can be achieved by an exercise program and a special back support device, Mayo Clinic researchers say.
By wearing a unique weighted back support device and participating in a special exercise program, women over 60 with osteoporosis-caused curvature of the spine improved their balance and experienced diminished back pain, giving researchers at Mayo Clinic a promising therapy to reduce falls among this population.
Within four weeks in the study, the researchers noted significant changes in balance and gait.
"Most studies of falls address the effects of sedatives, weakness of the lower extremity muscles and neuromuscular diseases," says Mehrsheed Sinaki, M.D., of Mayo Clinic's Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Past studies have shown that community-dwelling people have a higher risk of falls and fractures than persons whose mobility is severely restricted.
Twelve women in the study suffered from kyphosis, a progressive curvature of the spine that includes severe, progressive muscle weakness.
A fall is a biomechanical event, in that an external force -- gravity -- destabilizes the body's alignment of the torso over the legs.
The women used a weighted kypho-orthosis (WKO), a specially weighted back support device that centers its weight on the posterior of the spine and helps the person center her body better over her legs.
Further research is now needed to determine the feasibility of using this intervention in large populations of patients with kyphosis, says Dr. Tencer.
"The report validates using the WKO and a dynamic exercise program to improve biomechanics in persons with kyphosis," says Dr. Tencer.
A peer-review journal, Mayo Clinic Proceedings publishes original articles and reviews dealing with clinical and laboratory medicine, clinical research, basic science research and clinical epidemiology.
Mayo Clinic Proceedings is published monthly by Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research as part of its commitment to the medical education of physicians.
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