Exercising to piano music reduces the rate of fall in the aged
Researchers at the University Hospitals, Geneva Switzerland have come up with a new concept to reduce the rate of falls in old people- exercising to piano music.
The study published in the latest issue of Archives of Internal Medicine say that exercising to piano music can improve the balance and walk posture in the old, thereby reducing the chance of fall.
The study further states, "Each year, one-third of the population 65 years and older experiences at least one fall, and half of those fall repeatedly. Exercise can counteract key risk factors for falls, such as poor balance, and consequently reduce risk of falling in elderly community-dwelling individuals."
Led by Andrea Trombetti, M.D. of University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine of Geneva, Switzerland, the researchers randomly introduced piano- based exercise regime to 134 participants in the age group of 65 and above, among them 96 percent were women.
Aged women are at higher risk of falling. Every year more than one third of the women above the age of 65 falls regularly and among them 6 percent sustain fractures.
These participants were assigned to piano- based exercise for six months where they were asked to move according to the piano music. Participants who followed piano-based exercise have shown considerable improvement in their gait and balance. They also reported lesser rate of fall and better walking speed.
According to the researchers," participation in music-based multitask exercise classes once a week over a 6-month period can improve gait performance under single and cognitive-motor, dual-task conditions, as well as improve balance, and reduce both the rate of falls and the risk of falling in at-risk elderly community-dwelling adults.”
The findings indicate that this program may be valuable for elder care against fall prevention and rehabilitation in old age homes.