EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL EXERCISE ON NUMBER OF FALLS AND BALANCE IN ELDERLY WITH COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENTS. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

 Introduction: falls in the elderly with cognitive impairment represent a high percentage of queries to the emer-gency services. Physical exercise is the most widely studied strategy for preventing falls. Objective: to review the available evidence of exercise programs in reducing falls and improving balance in older people with cognitive impairment. Material and method: a systematic review was carried out. A research in Medline, PEDro, Cochrane and SPORTDiscus was done using the following strategies: («Accidental Falls»[Mesh] OR «Postural Balance»[Mesh])AND («Mental Disorders»[Mesh]) AND («Exercise»[Mesh] OR «Physical Therapy Modalities»[Mesh]) and «Accidental Falls»[Mesh] OR «Postural Balance»[Mesh] AND («Mental Disorders»[Mesh]). Results/Discussion: nine studies that met the inclusion criteria were finally included. Exercise programs run by physiotherapists determine improvements in functional balance in older people with cognitive impairment. Number of falls decreased in four papers, three studies did not found improvements on this variable which could be explained by the grade of cognitive impairment of the population included or because of the exercise intervention characteristics. Conclusion:
physical exercise determines improvements in the balance of elderly with cognitive impairment. The effects of such programs in number of falls are unclear and further studies are needed on this field. Adapting exercise pro-grams to the individual needs of the subjects might determine good results.