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Article
Effects of Buffalo Home-based Functional Exercise in community-dwelling older adults with medium to high fall risks – A proof of concept
International Journal of Health Science and Research (2016)
  • Machiko Tomita
  • Jeanne Langan
  • Kimberley Persons, St. Catherine University
  • Joshua Helak
  • Alicia Sirica
  • Ashley Moore
  • M Wilbur
  • Barbara Naughton
Abstract
Background: Exercise plays an important role in maintaining functional mobility as we age. Therefore, finding approaches that boost participation and effectiveness of home-based exercise is essential, particularly for older adults with lower function. A geriatric rehabilitation team developed Buffalo Functional Exercise (BFE), which encourages exercise by relating and pairing it to daily activities. Objective: This study was to determine the effectiveness of BFE on increasing exercise adherence and reducing falls and fall risks in community dwelling older-adults with medium to high fall risk. Methods: This randomized controlled study with a 12-week home-based exercise intervention recruited 21 enrollees of the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly at one site. Therapists prescribed BFE for 11 participants and conventional home-exercise for 10 participants. Fall risk outcome measures included ankle strength, objective and subjective balance, physical performance, function and health. Results: Both groups improved in levels of the Short Physical Performance Battery, but only the BFE group improved in balance confidence (p=.028) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (p=.019). Beyond 6 weeks of BFE, no falls were reported in the BFE group. Exercise minutes per week for home-based exercise were similar. BFE participants reported that BFE was fun and easy to do, and expressed a willingness to continue the BFE. Conclusion: Despite similar adherence with both exercise programs, BFE has advantages over conventional home exercise. Associating exercise with daily activities can offer a more effective approach to home exercise programs. Meaningfulness of exercise may be the reason. Further larger studies are encouraged. 

Disciplines
Publication Date
2016
Citation Information
Machiko Tomita, Jeanne Langan, Kimberley Persons, Joshua Helak, et al.. "Effects of Buffalo Home-based Functional Exercise in community-dwelling older adults with medium to high fall risks – A proof of concept" International Journal of Health Science and Research Vol. 6 (2016) p. 146 - 156
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/kimberley-persons/3/