In 2004, a study conducted by Hiroyuki Shimada, et. al., a new intervention program aimed at preventing falls among physically disabled elderly individuals has shown promising results. The study, published in [Journal Name], investigated the effects of perturbed walking exercise using a bilateral separated treadmill.

The research included 32 participants aged 66 to 98 years, residing in long-term care facilities or receiving outpatient care. These participants were randomly assigned to either a usual exercise group or a treadmill exercise group. The perturbed gait exercise on the treadmill was carried out over a period of six months. Various parameters including the number of falls, time to first fall, balance and gait functions, as well as reaction time, were assessed before and after the intervention.

The results revealed significant improvements in balance and reaction time among participants in the treadmill exercise group compared to those in the usual exercise group. Although the number of falls in the treadmill exercise group was 21% lower than that in the usual exercise group, this difference did not reach statistical significance. Additionally, there were no significant differences observed in the time to first fall between the two groups.

The findings suggest that gait training incorporating unexpected perturbations may have a beneficial impact on physical function in disabled elderly individuals. Furthermore, the results indicate that this novel exercise program could potentially serve as an effective intervention to reduce falls in institutional settings.

This study underscores the importance of innovative approaches to exercise interventions tailored specifically for the needs of frail elderly populations. Further research and implementation of such programs may contribute significantly to improving the quality of life and reducing the risk of falls among this vulnerable demographic.

Reference: Shimada, H., Obuchi, S., Furuna, T., & Suzuki, T. (2004). New intervention program for preventing falls among frail elderly people: the effects of perturbed walking exercise using a bilateral separated treadmill. American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation, 83(7), 493-499.