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Fall prevention in the young old using an exoskeleton human body posturizer: a randomized controlled trial

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Abstract

Background

Fall risk in elderly has been related with physical decline, low quality of life and reduced survival.

Aim

To evaluate the impact of exoskeleton human body posturizer (HBP) on the fall risk in the elderly.

Methods

150 subjects (mean age 64.85; 79 M/71 F) with mild fall risk were randomized into two groups: 75 for group treated with human body posturizer (HBP group) and 75 for physical training without HBP group (exercise group). The effects of interventions were assessed by differences in tests related to balance and falls. Medically eligible patients were screened with Tinetti balance and Gait evaluation scale, short physical performance battery and numeric pain rating scale to determine fall risk in elderly people.

Results

In the HBP group there was a significant improvement in short physical performance battery, Tinetti scale and Pain Numeric rating scale with a significant reduction in fall risk (p < 0.05). In the exercise group we observed only minimal variations in the test scores.

Discussion

The results at the sixth and twelfth months show a twofold positive effect in the HBP group reducing fall risk and improving quality of life by reducing pain.

Conclusion

The use of exoskeleton human body posturizer seems to be a new significant device for prevention of fall in elderly patients. Further research should be carried out to obtain more evidence on effects of robotic technology for fall prevention in the elderly.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Anestesiological and Geriatric Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy

    W. Verrusio, V. Gianturco, M. Cacciafesta, V. Marigliano & G. Troisi

  2. Department of Human Movement, Social and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, Rome, Italy

    M. Ripani

  3. Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy

    W. Verrusio

Authors
  1. W. Verrusio
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  2. V. Gianturco
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  3. M. Cacciafesta
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  4. V. Marigliano
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  5. G. Troisi
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  6. M. Ripani
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Correspondence to W. Verrusio.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from the patients.

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Verrusio, W., Gianturco, V., Cacciafesta, M. et al. Fall prevention in the young old using an exoskeleton human body posturizer: a randomized controlled trial. Aging Clin Exp Res 29, 207–214 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-016-0540-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-016-0540-7

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