Effect of Proprioceptive Exercise Program versus Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy on Risk of Fall in Elderly

Background: Fall is considered to be major contributing factor resulting in serious injuries with increased morbidity and mortality in elderly population. Objective: This study was done to evaluate the effect of proprioceptive exercises and vestibular rehabilitation on risk of fall in elderly. Methods: A survey was carried out on 100 elderly individuals across Senior Citizen Club to evaluate risk of fall in elderly. Amongst these, 60 patients were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and were further randomly divided into Group A (n=30,age 68.4±3.54) which received Proprioceptive training and Group B (n=30, age68.53±2.99)which received Vestibular training. Patients were evaluated pre and post intervention for risk of fall using Berg Balance Scale, Time Up and Go Test, Fall Efficacy Test, and Functional Reach-out Test. Result: Between group comparison showed significance improvement in Berg Balance Scale from (35.2± 12.03) to (42.7±11.03), Time Up And Go Test from (17.6±2.29) to (12.9±1.98), Fall Efficacy Test from (36.9±13.3) to (25.8±9), and Functional Reach Out Test from (20.12±4.7) to (23.0±4.73) for Group A as compared to Berg Balance Scale from (34.7±10.8) to (39.8±10.13), Time Up And Go Test from (15.6±3.5) to (12.43±2.72), Fall Efficacy Test from (33.8±9.6) to (28.8±9.01), and Functional Reach Out Test from (21.03±6.2) to (23.7±7.13) for Group B. Conclusion: The study concluded that Proprioceptive training was more effective than Vestibular rehabilitation therapy in reducing the risk of fall in elderly