Immediate Effects of a Single Home-based Rehabilitation Treatment on Balance Performance and Toe-Grip Strength in Elderly Subjects Continuing the Same Rehabilitation Program

• Published in: Acta medica Okayama Vol. 79; no. 1; p. 47
• Main Authors: Kojima, Kazunori, Ujikawa, Takuya, Ono, Toshiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan 01.02.2025
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; Hand Strength - physiology; Home Care Services; Humans; Male; Postural Balance - physiology; Stroke Rehabilitation; Toes - physiology; home-based rehabilitation; balance performance; toe-grip strength
• ISSN: 0386-300X
• DOI: 10.18926/AMO/68361

We assessed the immediate effects of a home-based rehabilitation (HBR) program on the balance performance and toe-grip strength of 29 older adults (mean±SD age of 75.1±9.9; 16 males, 13 females) who were participating in HBR services provided by Japan's nursing care insurance system. Their toe-grip strength and balance performance were measured before and after the HBR program. The subjects' toe-grip strength was significantly improved after the treatment. The subjects who had had a stroke showed a significant improvement after HBR. Contrarily, no significant difference was observed in the subjects' functional reach results or their one-leg standing time. These results indicate that the exercise regimen provided in the HBR program led to increased excitability of motor units and immediately enhanced the subjects' toe-grip strength.