The effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques compared to general aerobic exercise on balance, fear of falling, and quality of life in older adults living in nursing homes: a randomized controlled trial
Abstract Background With aging, changes occur in various body systems, such as cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromusculoskeletal, and vestibular, leading to a decreased quality of life (QOL) and an increased fear of falling (FOF). Exercise and physical activity reduce the progression of aging compli...
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2025-03-01
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| Series: | BMC Geriatrics |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-05822-y |
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| author | Mehrnaz Kajbafvala Mina Ansari Eshlaghi Shabnam ShahAli Fateme Pourkazem Anahita Hejazi |
| author_facet | Mehrnaz Kajbafvala Mina Ansari Eshlaghi Shabnam ShahAli Fateme Pourkazem Anahita Hejazi |
| author_sort | Mehrnaz Kajbafvala |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background With aging, changes occur in various body systems, such as cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromusculoskeletal, and vestibular, leading to a decreased quality of life (QOL) and an increased fear of falling (FOF). Exercise and physical activity reduce the progression of aging complications. Therefore, we examined the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques compared to aerobic exercise on balance, fear of falling, and quality of life in older adults living in nursing homes. Methods Fifty-two older adults aged over 60 (31 males, 21 females) living in nursing homes were included. After initial evaluation, individuals were randomly assigned to two treatment groups (PNF techniques and aerobic exercise). Both treatment groups received 12 treatment sessions over 4 weeks. Balance, fear of falling, and quality of life were assessed at baseline and after a 4-week intervention. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and paired samples t-test were utilized to between and within-group changes of variables. Results The results showed no significant differences in balance, fear of falling, and quality of life between groups after the intervention (P > 0.05). In the within-group comparison, only the PNF techniques group showed significant improvement in the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) after the intervention (P < 0.05). Conclusion The findings suggest that PNF techniques compared with aerobic exercise could not contribute to improved balance, fear of falling, and quality of life. Therefore, more clinical trial studies with a control group are needed to determine the exact effects of these techniques. Trial registration number (TRN) and date of registration The trial was registered at the ( https://www.irct.ir ), (IRCT20210505051181N4) on 9/2/2023. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3639a14744da4e929238624ca36ec4bf |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1471-2318 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Geriatrics |
| spelling | doaj-art-3639a14744da4e929238624ca36ec4bf2025-08-20T02:49:12ZengBMCBMC Geriatrics1471-23182025-03-0125111010.1186/s12877-025-05822-yThe effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques compared to general aerobic exercise on balance, fear of falling, and quality of life in older adults living in nursing homes: a randomized controlled trialMehrnaz Kajbafvala0Mina Ansari Eshlaghi1Shabnam ShahAli2Fateme Pourkazem3Anahita Hejazi4Iranian Center of Excellence in Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical SciencesIranian Center of Excellence in Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical SciencesIranian Center of Excellence in Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical SciencesIranian Center of Excellence in Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Physiology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background With aging, changes occur in various body systems, such as cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromusculoskeletal, and vestibular, leading to a decreased quality of life (QOL) and an increased fear of falling (FOF). Exercise and physical activity reduce the progression of aging complications. Therefore, we examined the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques compared to aerobic exercise on balance, fear of falling, and quality of life in older adults living in nursing homes. Methods Fifty-two older adults aged over 60 (31 males, 21 females) living in nursing homes were included. After initial evaluation, individuals were randomly assigned to two treatment groups (PNF techniques and aerobic exercise). Both treatment groups received 12 treatment sessions over 4 weeks. Balance, fear of falling, and quality of life were assessed at baseline and after a 4-week intervention. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and paired samples t-test were utilized to between and within-group changes of variables. Results The results showed no significant differences in balance, fear of falling, and quality of life between groups after the intervention (P > 0.05). In the within-group comparison, only the PNF techniques group showed significant improvement in the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) after the intervention (P < 0.05). Conclusion The findings suggest that PNF techniques compared with aerobic exercise could not contribute to improved balance, fear of falling, and quality of life. Therefore, more clinical trial studies with a control group are needed to determine the exact effects of these techniques. Trial registration number (TRN) and date of registration The trial was registered at the ( https://www.irct.ir ), (IRCT20210505051181N4) on 9/2/2023.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-05822-yProprioceptive neuromuscular facilitationAerobic exerciseBalanceFear of fallingQuality of lifeAging |
| spellingShingle | Mehrnaz Kajbafvala Mina Ansari Eshlaghi Shabnam ShahAli Fateme Pourkazem Anahita Hejazi The effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques compared to general aerobic exercise on balance, fear of falling, and quality of life in older adults living in nursing homes: a randomized controlled trial BMC Geriatrics Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation Aerobic exercise Balance Fear of falling Quality of life Aging |
| title | The effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques compared to general aerobic exercise on balance, fear of falling, and quality of life in older adults living in nursing homes: a randomized controlled trial |
| title_full | The effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques compared to general aerobic exercise on balance, fear of falling, and quality of life in older adults living in nursing homes: a randomized controlled trial |
| title_fullStr | The effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques compared to general aerobic exercise on balance, fear of falling, and quality of life in older adults living in nursing homes: a randomized controlled trial |
| title_full_unstemmed | The effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques compared to general aerobic exercise on balance, fear of falling, and quality of life in older adults living in nursing homes: a randomized controlled trial |
| title_short | The effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques compared to general aerobic exercise on balance, fear of falling, and quality of life in older adults living in nursing homes: a randomized controlled trial |
| title_sort | effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques compared to general aerobic exercise on balance fear of falling and quality of life in older adults living in nursing homes a randomized controlled trial |
| topic | Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation Aerobic exercise Balance Fear of falling Quality of life Aging |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-05822-y |
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