Effect of square stepping exercise for older adults to prevent fall and injury related to fall: systematic review and meta-analysis of current evidences

Article information

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Square stepping exercise (SSE) comprises multiple directional step patterns performed on a thin mat which is partitioned into squares; 25 cm² each and may include toe walking or complex pattern of walking as a progression. SSE can also be performed indoors so certainly appears to be advantageous over unidirectional and outdoor walking which is less beneficial pertaining to fall prevention and it is also unsafe for older adults (McClure et al., 2005).

SSEs were designed based on the principles of proactive and reactive responses enhancement which logically may improve reaction time during corrective stepping during recovering balance after tripping among the older subjects. Further it is hypothesized to induce agonist and antagonist muscle activations in lower extremities thus improving lower extremities fitness. The benefit of SSE also extends beyond preventing fall such as improving functional ability, fitness of lower extremities and health status among older adults (Shigematsu et al., 2008a; Shigematsu et al., 2008b).

Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury and premature death among community dwelling older adults (Kannus et al., 2005). Falls among older adults are a serious public health problem that can cause fatal injuries sometime, also affects psychosocial status and more importantly quality of life. About 80% of disability stemming from unintentional injuries; which excludes traffic accidents in adults aged 50 years and over resulted from falls in year 2010 (Karlsson et al., 2013). Physical and mental changes associated with advancing age and frailty increases risk of fall and susceptibility of unintentional injury among older population (Rubenstein, 2006).

Nationally representative standardized data collected from adults aged 50 years and over participating in the World Health Organization (WHO) SAGE (Study on global AGEing and adult health) Wave 1 in China, Ghana, India, Mexico, the Russian Federation and South Africa reported that the proportion of all previous year injuries that were fall related ranged from 73.3% in the Russian federation to 44.4% in Ghana (Stewart Williams et al., 2015). Every year one-third of community-dwelling older adults fall. About 10%–15% subsequently endures an injury. Approximately 3% of community-dwelling older adults sustain significant injuries due to falls in any given year, resulting in substantial costs to individuals and society (Kannus et al., 2005). In 2013, about 2.5 million older adults were treated for nonfatal fall related injuries and more than 734,000 were hospitalized in 2015. In that year the direct medical cost for older adult falls was 34 billion United States dollars. Even in the absence of injury; a fall has potential consequences on the psychological aspects and quality of life (Kannus et al., 2007).

About 70% of world’s older population resides in developing countries. This proportion will increase in coming decades. There is a fear that a larger burden of morbidity and mortality due to falls along with other chronic conditions will occur in low and middle income countries (LMICs) (Beard et al., 2011).

This review explicitly assesses the advantages of SSE (Fig. 1) compared with other conventional exercises for older adults experiencing fall and suffering fall related injuries. Data were extracted to identify how the outcomes of exercise have been measured and to summarize the components of SSE and other exercise programs.

Fig. 1

Example of indoor square stepping exercise.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Selection of studies

The method segment of listed trials was extracted and employed the predetermined inclusion criteria to screen for relevant full text trials. An article was removed from the list if it was determined not to meet the inclusion criteria. Studies were included for data extraction and analyses, if they met the predetermined inclusion criteria (Table 1).

Table 1

Inclusion criteria

Quality assessment

For all the selected articles randomization method, blinding, selection criteria and dropouts from follow-up were seen critically to assess risk of bias. Articles selected were critically appraised with 11 items (Table 2). PEDro scale scores extracted from the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (www.pedro.org.au). PEDro scale is a useful tool to assess the methodological quality of physical therapy and rehabilitation trials. Studies were excluded in subsequent analysis if the cutoff of 6 points was not reached on PEDro scale score.

Table 2

PEDro criteria and summary of quality assessment scores of included studies (n=5)

Data extraction and management

After searching relevant articles to this systematic review data were extracted from the studies using standard checklist. The information’s collected from each articles were:

1. Patients details (including age, gender, occupation, and residence)

2. Method (the inclusion and exclusion criteria)

3. Intervention including (duration, intensity, and frequency)

4. The comparison intervention

5. Description of the SSE

6. Outcome measures used

7. Follow-up period

Data at baseline, post treatment and follow-ups were extracted for interested outcomes. Findings were putted in logical order, discussed their similarity and differences on the effectiveness of SSE for fall down injury among old age adults (Table 3).

Table 3

Summary of included studies (n=5)

RESULTS

A total of 46 papers were identified from the electronic search, but only 5 articles were found to fulfill the inclusion criteria. Included articles were high quality trials with their scores in PEDro scale average and above. All the included five studies were done on the effect of SSE on old age adults (>60 years of age).

Effect of SSE to prevent fall down injury

Functional reach is found as an outcome measure in three randomized controlled trials (Shigematsu et al., 2008a; Shigematsu et al., 2008b; Shigematsu et al., 2013) which can deal with balance as a result that can affect fall. The effect of SSE was examined by pooling data from three trails (Shigematsu et al., 2008a; Shigematsu et al., 2008b; Shigematsu et al., 2013) involving 146 participants. The mean effect of square stepping in all the included studies in this meta-analysis favors SSE than walking to prevent fall among older adults (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2

Mean difference (95%) of effect of square stepping versus control group for balance improvement (n=146).

From the three studies included significant effect of SSE was detected over walking or no treatment with P=0.0015 (95% CI, 0.1900–0.8436). Heterogeneity between studies was substantial (I²=84%) hence random effect model was used for analysis (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3

Overall pooled fixed effect model of square stepping exercise versus control group to improve balance with P=0.0015 (95% confidence interval, 0.1900–0.8436) (n= 146).

Effect of SSE to prevent fear of fall and to improve perceived health status

Group analysis was done in two studies which had both fear of fall and perceived health status as outcome measures after intervention with SSE. The mean effect of SSE in both the included studies (Shigematsu et al., 2008a; Shigematsu et al., 2008b) In this meta-analysis favors SSE than walking to prevent fear of fall and to improve perceived health status among older adults (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4

Mean difference (95%) of effect of square stepping versus control group prevent fear of fall (n=102).

From the two studies included significant effect of SSE was detected over walking or no treatment to prevent fear of fall and to improve perceived health status with P=0.0010 (95% CI, 0.9560–1.7325). Heterogeneity between studies was very high (I²=90.77%) and random effect model was used for analysis (Fig. 5).

Fig. 5

Overall pooled fixed effect model of square stepping exercise versus control group to improve balance with P=0.0010 (95% CI= 0.9560, 1.7325) (n=102).

DISCUSSION

It is known that older adults are prone to fall related risks which can make them totally or partly dependent on their family and the community. Significant number of older adults could be permanently disabled or even death can occur as a result of fall down injury. So designing an exercise program is mandatory to prevent fall eventually eliminate fall related injuries and related risks. Most of the included studies (Pereira et al., 2014; Shigematsu et al., 2008a; Shigematsu et al., 2008b; Shigematsu et al., 2013) showed the effectiveness of SSE but the significance of SSE over walking, other exercises or no treatment was controversial and inconclusive. The present review was aimed at updating the current evidences of SSE and to distinguish the effect of SSE to prevent fall due to improving in balance, prevent fear of fall and improve perceived health status compared to walking or no intervention. SSE is found to be effective in balance improvement from the meta-analysis done with three studies (Shigematsu et al., 2008a; Shigematsu et al., 2008b; Shigematsu et al., 2013) with P=0.0015. The studies were found to be heterogeneous which could be due to the exercises used for comparing with SSE were different, for instance one study used balance and strengthening exercise (Shigematsu et al., 2008b) but the other two studies used walking as a treatment for the controlled groups (Shigematsu et al., 2008a; Shigematsu et al., 2013).

SSE is found to be significantly effective in preventing fall down injuries by improving balance. SSE is also effective to prevent fear of fall and to improve perceived health status among older adults. When we see the applicability of SSE to our setup it is easy, cost effective and can be applied in group. So it is mandatory for resource limited countries like Ethiopia to incorporate SSE as an integral part of fall prevention strategy to prevent fall among older adults and also determine the efficacy of SSE in other risk population. Therefore awareness and practice training shall be conducted for health professionals and the health care community on the effectiveness of physical exercises (SSE) to prevent fall and improve perceived health status among community dwelling older adults.

From a public health perspective, concerted efforts should be directed to reduce fall among elderly population to lessen the burden of fall related injuries and complications. This review outlines the importance of SSE which requires to be implemented among elderly population.

Article information Continued