Effect of Acupressure on Dynamic Balance in Elderly Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial


Author: Seyedeh Ameneh Motalebi1, Zeinab Zajkani2, Fatemeh Mohammadi1, Mohammad Habibi3, Maryam Mafi4, Fatemeh Ranjkesh5

Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> Social Determinants of Health Research Center (SDH), Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences , Qazvin, Iran.

<sup>2</sup> Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences , Qazvin, Iran.

<sup>3</sup> Irannian Scientific Accupancture , Tehran, Iran.

<sup>4</sup> School of Nursing and Midwifery, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences , Qazvin, Iran.

<sup>5</sup> Children Growth Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences , Qazvin, Iran.
Conference/Journal: Exp Aging Res
Date published: Oct-Dec 2020
Other:
 Volume ID: 46   ,  Issue ID: 5   ,  Pages: 433-445   ,  Special Notes: doi: 10.1080/0361073X.2020.1802981.   ,  Word Count: 189  
    Background:

Balance disorders are common in the elderly and are a major cause of falls. This study aimed to determine the effect of acupressure on dynamic balance in elderly women.



Methods:

This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 72 elderly women in Qazvin, Iran. The intervention group received rotary massage using the thumb at the pressure points for 4 weeks, 3 times a week for 20 minutes each session. Dynamic balance in both groups was measured before, 2 and 4 weeks after the intervention using timed up and go test and the step test. Data were analyzed using two way repeated measures ANOVA.



Results:

The mean age of participants was 67.34 ± 6.30 with a range of 60 to 80 years old. The results showed statistically significant improvement in the dynamic balance quantified by timed up and go test (%Δ = 26.53) and step test for the right (%Δ = 35.22) and left (Δ% = 32.62) legs (p < .001). However, in the control group, no significant change was observed in the dynamic balance after completion of the program.



Conclusion:

The results support that acupressure therapy can be an effective, safe, and inexpensive method to improve the dynamic balance and maintain maximum autonomy of the elderly.





PMID: 32757822 DOI: 10.1080/0361073X.2020.1802981