What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to evaluate the effects of a tailored balance training program, with and without sensory stimulation, on balance and walking performance in older adults.

February 28, 2026

Improved Balance and Walking Capacities after Tailored Balance Training with and without Superimposed Sensory Stimulation in Older Adults

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The study aims to evaluate the effects of a tailored balance training program, with and without sensory stimulation, on balance and walking performance in older adults.
Random assignment of 75 elderly participants to four groups: exercises only, exercises with local vibration, exercises with TENS, exercises with both local vibration and TENS.
Assessment using the Berg Balance Scale, Short Physical Performance Battery, 6-minute walk test, 10-meter walk test, and Timed Up and Go test before and after 8 weeks of training.
Two 1-hour training sessions per week for 8 weeks conducted for all groups.
Significant post-intervention improvements in BBS and SPPB scores, indicating enhanced balance performance.
Reduced times for the Timed Up and Go test, showing better mobility after training.
Increased velocity in the 10-meter walk test, suggesting improved walking speed post-training.
No significant group differences or effects from additional sensory stimulation, indicating that exercises alone sufficed.
Benefits in balance and walking were partially maintained 8 weeks after the training ended.

Resumen

Purpose: We investigated the impact of an 8-week tailored balance program, with or without superimposed sensory stimulation (local vibration, LV, and/or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, TENS), on balance and walking performance in older adults. Methods: Seventy-five healthy elderly participants (age 79.9 ± 3.9 years) were randomly assigned to one of four groups: postural exercises only (n=17), exercises with LV (n=19), exercises with TENS (n=19), and exercises with LV+TENS (n=20). For LV, TENS and LV+TENS groups, proprioceptive stimulation targeted the triceps surae and tibialis anterior. Participants completed a baseline assessment including the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), 6-minute walk test (6minWT), 10-meter walk test (10MWT), and Timed Up and Go test (TUG). A similar assessment was performed 8 weeks later, and after the 8-week tailored intervention which consisted of two 1-hour sessions per week. Balance and walking capacities were finally reassessed 8 weeks after training. Results: In all groups, reliability of the outcomes measures was moderate to high between baseline and pre-intervention values (ICC>0.63). Post-intervention, linear mixed-effects models revealed significant improvements in BBS and SPPB scores (53.1±2.4 and 10.9±0.9 vs. 54.9±2.4 and 11.5±0.9, p<0.001), and reduced times for TUG (7.3±1.7sec vs. 6.6±1.7sec, p<0.001) and increased 10MWT velocity (3.6±0.7m/sec vs. 3.4±0.7m/sec, p=0.004), with no group differences nor interactions. Benefits were partially maintained 8 weeks after training. The interventions did not affect 6minWT performance (525.5±75.1m vss 527.8±74.1m, p=0.143). Conclusions: Tailored balance exercises alone significantly enhanced postural control and walking capacity in healthy older adults. Additional sensory stimulation provided no extra benefit, suggesting that for healthy older adults without major balance impairments, exercises alone may suffice to achieve meaningful functional improvements.

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Improved Balance and Walking Capacities after Tailored Balance Training with and without Superimposed Sensory Stimulation in Older Adults

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