DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2014.v02i01.0047

Pages: 221-226

The objective of the study was to compare the effectiveness of Pilates intervention (PI) and Conventional Balance Training (CBT) in improving functional balance and quality of life (QOL) in elderly individuals. In a prospective randomized controlled design, 51 ambulatory elderly individuals were recruited from four different old age homes and randomly allocated into three groups(Pilates intervention-PI; Conventional Balance training-CBT and Control; N=17 in each group). All the groups underwent 6 weeks of supervised intervention programs in their old age homes. Functional reach test (FRT), timed up and go test (TUG), dynamic gait index (DGI) for functional balance and RAND-36 for quality of life were recorded at baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention. The 6 weeks of PI & CBT program resulted in significant improvement of functional balance (FRT, TUG & DGI: p=0.000) and QOL (RAND-36: p=0.000) in ambulatory elderly individuals which was not evident in the control group. However PI was found to have greater improvements in functional balance and QOL scores compared to CBT and control. Both PI and CBT can improve functional balance and decrease propensity to fall in elderly individuals thereby improving QOL. However, PI was found to be superior to CBT in improving functional balance and QOL among ambulatory elderly individuals.