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Older Adult Compliance with Physiotherapy-Prescribed Home Exercise for Balance: A Systematic Review

Knight E, Judge K, Tang M and Vandervoort AA

Purpose: Impaired balance is a significant cause of falls among community-dwelling older adults. The purpose of this systematic review was to examine current evidence on the compliance of men and women over 60 years of age with home exercise programs for balance prescribed by a physiotherapist, and to explore the relationship between compliance and patient outcomes.

Method: Electronic databases were searched (PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL) between December 2012-January 2013. Strict a priori inclusion criteria were used to identify eligible articles, which were scored using a modified Downs and Black checklist by two independent reviewers.

Results: Four articles met inclusion criteria. The results of these studies revealed self-reported compliance rates between 50% and 97%; however, compliance appeared to vary depending on the level of clinician supervision and type of compliance measure. Two studies showed no functional gains in balance, and two showed significant improvements in balance.

Conclusion: Based on the small number of eligible studies, compliance with home-based exercises prescribed for balance training among older adults varies, with increased compliance appearing to be associated with increased clinician supervision. Further research is required to determine the efficacy of physiotherapist-prescribed home exercise programs for functional balance outcomes.