THURSDAY, Nov. 10 (HealthDay News) -- Some exercise types may be
effective for improving balance in older people, although the
evidence is weak, according to a review published online Nov. 9
in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Tracey E. Howe,
Ph.D., from Glasgow Caledonian University in the United Kingdom,
and colleagues reviewed available literature to assess the
impact of exercise interventions on balance in older people,
aged 60 years and older. A total of 94 randomized controlled
trials, with 9,917 participants, were included in the analysis.
Women living in their own home constituted the majority of the
participants, with some studies including frail people residing
in hospital or residential facilities. The investigators found
that there was weak evidence to show that some types of exercise
(gait, balance, coordination, and functional tasks;
strengthening exercise; 3D exercise and multiple exercise types)
were moderately effective in improving clinical balance outcomes
in older people, immed