- 期刊
【論文摘要】The Effects of Intrinsic Foot Muscle Exercises on Balance Improving for the Elderly: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
【論文摘要】足部內在肌群訓練對提升老年人平衡能力之效益：系統性回顧與統合分析
摘要
Background and Purpose: Weakness of the intrinsic foot muscles is associated with several structural deformities of the foot, which are one of the risk factors on falling in the elderly. However, conversely results of intrinsic foot muscles strengthening on the balance improvement and falling prevention were found from previous literatures. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the effects of intrinsic foot muscle exercise combined with any type of exercise for balance improvement in the elderly. Method: Articles were searched in the databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, PEDro, and Wiley Online Library, which were published from January 2000 to December 2023 with keywords "intrinsic foot muscle training", "foot exercise", "toe exercise", "the elderly", "older people", "fall", and "falling". Outcome measurements were focused on balance, including single-leg standing times and the timed up and go (TUG) test, risk of falling, and foot intrinsic muscle strength. The results from the selected articles were analyzed through the random effect model with Review Manager 5.4.1 software. Results: Five articles were selected for meta-analysis. The results showed that the intrinsic foot muscle exercises significantly improve the single-leg standing times with eyes opening (N_(experimental/control grou)p = 82/55, mean difference = 3.99 [0.62, 7.37]), toe-grip strength (N_(experimental/control grou)p = 39/23, mean difference =1.59 [0.61, 2.57]), and toe flexor strength (N_(experimental/control grou)p = 60/55, standard mean difference = 2.18 [0.98, 3.39]) comparing to control group, while no significant differences were found in the single-leg standing times with eyes closed (N_(experimental/control grou)p = 60/55, mean difference = 0.72 [ -1.09, 2.52]), TUG test (N_(experimental /control grou)p = 69/68, standard mean difference = 0.15 [ -0.19, 0.49]), and the questionnaire of risk of falling (N_(experimental/control grou)p = 45/51, standard mean difference = -0.03 [ -0.43, 0.37]). Conclusion: Although additional effects of intrinsic foot muscle exercise were found on the intrinsic foot muscle strength as well as single-leg standing duration, the improvement in single-leg standing duration did not meet the minimal detectable change (24.1 seconds). Clinical Relevance: Based on our meta-analysis results, intrinsic foot muscle exercises combined with any other type of training are not superior than usual care or strengthening for balance improvement or falling prevention in the elderly. However, large sample size and high-quality randomized control trials are needed.