<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><xml><records><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Ullmann, G. , Williams, H. G. , Hussey, J. , Durstine, J. L. ,</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">McClenaghan, B. A. (2010)</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Effects of Feldenkrais Exercises on Balance, Mobility, Balance Confidence, and Gait Performance in Community-Dwelling Adults Age 65 and Older</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">J Altern Complement Med</style></secondary-title></titles><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2010</style></year></dates><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">16</style></volume><pages><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">97-105</style></pages><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Background: Falls and fall-related injuries are a major public health concern, a financial challenge for health care providers, and critical issues for older adults. Poor balance and limited mobility are major risk factors for falls.&lt;br /&gt;
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Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine effects of Feldenkrais exercises in improving balance, mobility, and balance confidence in older adults.&lt;br /&gt;
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Methods: Participants (N=47, mean age 75.6) were randomly assigned to a Feldenkrais group (FG, n=25) or to a control group (CG, n=22). The FG group attended a 5-week Feldenkrais program, 60 minutes three times per week, while the CG group was a waitlist control. The outcome measures were balance (tandem stance), mobility (Timed Up and Go), gait characteristics (GAITRite Walkway System), balance confidence (Balance Confidence Scale; ABC), and fear of falling (Falls Efficacy Scale). Pre- and post-tests were conducted.&lt;br /&gt;
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Results: After completion of the program, balance (p=0.030) and mobility (p=0.042) increased while fear of falling (p=0.042) decreased significantly for the FG group. No other significant changes were observed. However, participants of the FG group showed improvements in balance confidence (p=0.054) and mobility while performing concurrently a cognitive task (p=0.067).&lt;br /&gt;
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Conclusions: These results indicate that Feldenkrais exercises are an effective way to improve balance and mobility, and thus offer an alternative method to help offset age-related declines in mobility and reduce the risk of falling among community-dwelling older adults. A long-term follow-up study of balance and mobility is warranted. Further research is needed to identify whether Feldenkrais exercises may impact cognitive processes.
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