
Metronome-guided Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation with Visual Feedback for Fall Prevention in Elderly: A Randomised Controlled Trial
YC43-YC46
Correspondence
Dr. Abha Khisty,
Assistant Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, Dr. D.Y. Patil College of Physiotherapy, Pimpri, Pune-411018, Maharashtra, India.
Introduction: Elderly individuals over the age of 65 years are vulnerable to falls in the community and at home. Fall prevention strategies help reduce the risk of falls by improving muscular strength and efficiency. Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS), along with Visual Feedback (VF), enhances the effectiveness of maintaining balance and reduces falls and fear in patients with neurological concerns.
Aim: To determine the effect of RAS along with VF in healthy elderly individuals to prevent falls in familiar environments.
Materials and Methods: This randomised controlled trial was conducted at the Department of Physiotherapy, Dr. DY Patil College of Physiotherapy, Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra, India, from June to July 2024. A total of 60 samples (n=60) were included in the study. A total of 60 elderly patients were randomly assigned to two groups: Intervention Group (IG) and Control Group (CG). Pre- and post-scoring was obtained on falls-related outcome measures. The IG underwent a 4-week training protocol, while the CG did not receive any treatment. The Tinetti Performance-oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) scale, Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Falls Efficacy Scale (FES) were used as outcome measures. Data analysis was conducted using PEPI-for-Windows (WINPEPI) software, with intergroup and intragroup analyses utilising paired t-tests and unpaired t-tests, respectively.
Results: The mean age of participants included in the study was 70.5±2.5 years. Post-intervention, significant improvement was observed in the scores of the BBS in both the IG and CG. However, the improvement was significantly greater in the IG (p=0.01). Similarly, significant improvements were noted in the FES and Tinetti POMA Scale in the IG (p<0.05) after four weeks of training. In the CG, a non significant improvement was seen in the scores of the Tinetti POMA Scale post-intervention (p=0.22).
Conclusion: The results reflect a significant reduction in the fear of falls and the risk of falls in the elderly population following metronome-guided RAS.