Title: Immediate Effects of Tendoachilles Stretch on Balance in Geriatric Population - An Experimental Study
Authors: Dr Basavaraj Motimath, Nikita ShamineMiranda, Nishi Mayur Sawkar
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i2.158
Abstract
Background and Objective: Balance is a major concern in Geriatric population which makes the vulnerable to falls and secondary complications of falls leading to high rates of morbidity and mortality.(1,2) Hence, this present study is planned to see the immediate effects of Tendo – Achilles stretch on Balance using Timed Up and Go test (TUG) in Geriatric population.
Subjects: The participants were 60 years and above (14 female and 8 male, who are rescinding at Shantai Vrudhashram, Home for the Aged. Their mean age was 74.33 (SD= 10.67).
Material And Method: There were 30 participants aged 60 and above were recruited in the study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the participants were asked to perform the TUG test and timing was noted down, after which it was followed by two sets of 30 seconds of Tendo – Achilles stretching and the subject was then asked to perform TUG again, and timing was noted.
Results: The TUG had improved in twenty eight out of thirty subjects with mean score point of 16.63 pretest (SD = 6.35) and posttest mean= 15.21 (SD = 6.04) (P= 0.0001*) and between 60 – 75 years pretest mean = 15.24 (SD = 2.71) and posttest mean= 14.14 (SD = 2.37) (P= 0.0055*) and ≥76 years pretest mean = 18.22 (SD= 8.37) and posttest mean = 16.43 (SD=8.49) (P= 0.0001*).
Conclusion: The result of the study indicates that the stretching as an intervention is effective in improving balance of the target population.
Keyword: Tendo – Achilles stretching, Timed Up and Go Test, Geriatric.
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