Uso de superficies inestables para mejorar el equilibrio en el adulto mayor de la parroquia Quisapincha

Abstract

Falls in older adults can lead to some fractures, blows, bruises, disabling diseases, hospitalizations, loss of independence, and even in some cases can lead to death, being a public health problem. For this reason, this research aims to reduce and prevent falls in older adults using unstable surfaces to improve balance and gait and in turn the living conditions of the participants. For the qualitative-quantitative study, a population of 20 older adults with an average age of 65 to 95 years, 18 females and 2 males, who belong to the Quisapincha parish, were obtained and the intervention lasted 8 weeks. To obtain the results of the study two tests were used; the TUG test and the Berg scale, which helped to measure the level of balance and gait of the participants applied before and after the intervention. The data obtained were tabulated and analyzed to verify the hypothesis using the IBM SPSS V22 statistical program. For the research development, unstable surfaces such as the vestibular disc, mat, and Bosu were used, as well as stretching exercises before the intervention. The results obtained reflect that the intervention was successful since the two tests applied at the end of the intervention showed a significant percentage of improvement. Therefore, it can be concluded that using unstable surfaces to improve balance in older adults is effective in preventing and reducing the risk of falls.