Researchers from The University of Melbourne, in Victoria, Australia report “Feldenkrais Method balance classes may improve mobility and balance in older adults.”

First, the details.

• 63 elderly people participated in the study for 10 weeks.
  • 26 community-dwelling adults attending Feldenkrais Method balance classes
  • 37 elderly volunteers (control)
• The Feldenkrais Method group attended balance classes (the “Getting Grounded Gracefully” series) twice weekly.
• Activities-Specific Balance Confidence questionnaire, Four Square Step Test, and self-selected gait speed (using GAITRite instrumented gait mat) were used to measure changes at the end of the classes.

And, the results.

• Compared to before classes…
  • The Feldenkrais group showed significant improvement on all of the tests.
  • The Control group improved significantly in the Four Square Step Test only.
• When the 2 groups were compared, the Feldenkrais group showed a significant improvements in all of the tests compared to the control group.

The bottom line?
The authors concluded, “Feldenkrais Method balance classes may improve mobility and balance in older adults.”

More about the Feldenkrais Method and results of another study of Feldenkrais to reduce the risk of falls in the elderly is summarized here.

6/27/09 19:24 JR