Effect of Cawthorne and Cooksey exercise on balance control and fall risk among middle-aged population: A single group pre-post experimental study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Balance impairment is one of the causes of the risk of falls among all age groups and is a continuing threat to morbidity and mortality across the world. Previous studies stated that the vestibular system is affected in middle-aged population, which leads to imbalance and a high risk of falls. There is a lack of research in this account so this study has been done to find the effect of Cawthorne and Cooksey exercise in vestibular rehabilitation on balance control and the risk of falls among middle-age population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: According to the criteria of selection 30 subjects were recruited for this study. Baseline demographic measurements were recorded. Timed up and go (TUG) test time, Sway analysis using a force plate, and Morse fall scale measures were used as outcomes. Cawthorne and Cooksey exercise was given for 8 weeks 3 sessions per week. Pre and post-intervention outcome measures with 3-month follow-up were recorded for data analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 49.55 ± 5.67 years. The paired sample t-test showed mean values of TUG 1.86 ± 1.03, COPx 1.17 ± 1.50, COPy 1.78 ± 1.78, MFS 8.75 ± 12.23 with P value of 0.00 (P < 0.05) for all measures. The repeated measures ANOVA showed 3-month follow-up results for TUG P ≤ 0.00, COPx P ≤ 0.01, COPy P ≤ 0.00, and MFS P ≤ 0.00. CONCLUSION: There is a statistically significant effect of Cawthorne and Cooksey exercise on balance control and fall risk among middle-aged population of 40–60 years.

Keywords

• balance control
• cawthorne and cooksey exercises
• fall risk
• timed up and go test
• vestibular rehabilitation