Balance TrainingElderlyFeldenkrais

Another positive study of Feldenkrais in the elderly

It’s the third study in the past year.

This time from researchers at the University of South Carolina, in Columbia.

First, the details.

  • 47 elderly patients were randomly assigned to a treatment group.
    • A 5-week Feldenkrais program, 60 minutes 3 times per week
    • Control group on a wait list.

And, the results.

  • After completion of the program, balance and mobility increased while fear of falling decreased significantly for the Feldenkrais group.
  • No other significant changes were observed.
  • Participants of the Feldenkrais group showed improvements in balance confidence and mobility while performing a cognitive task.

The bottom line?

The authors concluded, “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.”

These finding support an earlier study, here.

And third study reported that Feldenkrais benefits from high class attendance (88%) and was viewed positively by participants.

More about the Feldenkrais Method from the Feldenkrais Guild, here.

1/17/10 20:22 JR

Hi, I’m JR

John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.