Immediate Effect of Massage and Mobilization of the Feet and Ankles on Balance in the Elderly Adults

Document Type : Original article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor of Physiotherapy, Dept. of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 MSc in Physiotherapy, Dept. of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (corresponding author) mnj58@yahoo.com

3 Professor of Physiotherapy, Dept. of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

4 Associate Professor of Biostatistics, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences. Shahid beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background and Aim: Falling and its consequences is one of the main concerns of the elderly adults. Introducing techniques for improving balance of elderly and preventing them from falling is the critical goals of the health system in any society. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immediate effect of massage and mobilization of the feet and ankles on balance for elderly adults.
Materials and Methods: In this study men and women over 60 years of age were randomly assigned into two groups of 15 persons. In the intervention group, the therapeutic protocol included 20 minutes of massage and mobilization on the feet and ankles. In the control group, shortwave diathermy was used for 20 minutes in the off mode (placebo) on the feet and ankles. In this study the subjects in both groups were analyzed by two clinical balance tests namely “one leg standing test” and “Lateral reach test” before and after the start of the protocol and the results were compared before and afterward.
Results:
Findings showed that in the “one leg standing test” the balance is improved significantly in the intervention group after 20 minutes of massage and mobilization (P < 0.05) and the interaction between time and group was also significant in the “one leg standing test” with P < 0.01 in the intervention group. In “Lateral reach test”, although there was not a significant difference before and after the intervention in both groups, a numerical increase was noticed in the lateral reach distance in the intervention group. The interaction between time and group was significant in the intervention group with P < 0.01.
Conclusion: According to the results, massage and mobilization of the feet and ankles has an immediate effect on balance in the elderly adults.

Keywords

References

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The Scientific Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine
Volume 2, Issue 1 - Serial Number 1
March and April 2013
Pages 40-47

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History

  • Receive Date: 06 November 2012
  • Revise Date: 02 January 2013
  • Accept Date: 05 March 2013
  • First Publish Date: 21 March 2013

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