Feasibility and effectiveness of interactive stepping exercise on community-dwelling older adults: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Li-Chin Sow; Hsin-Hsuan Liu; Ray-Yau Wang; Shun-Hwa Wei; Hsiao-Kuan Wu; Yea-Ru Yang

doi:10.1016/j.gerinurse.2021.06.021

Feasibility and effectiveness of interactive stepping exercise on community-dwelling older adults: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Geriatr Nurs. 2021 Sep-Oct;42(5):1099-1104. doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2021.06.021. Epub 2021 Jul 16.

Authors

Li-Chin Sow¹, Hsin-Hsuan Liu², Ray-Yau Wang², Shun-Hwa Wei², Hsiao-Kuan Wu³, Yea-Ru Yang⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Rehabilitation, St Luke's ElderCare Changkat Centre, Singapore.
² Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
³ Makerspace, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
⁴ Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Preventive Medicine Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: yryang@nycu.edu.tw.

PMID: 34274687
DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2021.06.021

Abstract

Recently, the interactive stepping exercise (ISE) was developed on the basis of square stepping exercise. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of ISE on executive function and gait variability among community-dwelling older adults. Fourteen participants were recruited and randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=7) or control group (n=7) and received ISE or home exercise program, respectively, three times a week for 12 weeks. The outcomes included retention rate, attendance rate, Trail Making Test, and dual-task walking. The results showed that participants had high retention and attendance rate for the ISE intervention. Moreover, significant improvement in the part A of Trail Making Test and stride length variability during cognitive dual-task walking after 12-week ISE intervention. The current results suggested that ISE is a feasible and effective intervention on executive function and gait variability in community-dwelling older adults.

Keywords: Cognitive function; Gait; Older adults; Stepping exercise; Trail Making Test.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
Exercise Therapy
Exercise*
Feasibility Studies
Gait
Humans
Independent Living*
Pilot Projects
Walking