Effectiveness of psychomotor exercises on the balance of elderly

Abstract

Introduction: Falls are more dangerous consequences of imbalance and difficulty of locomotion in the elderly. The psychomotricity for elderly improves activities of daily living. Objective: to evaluate the effect of psychomotor intervention on balance of elderly. It is a simple blind clinical trial, with 15 elderly, both genders, with physical and social independence. Method: The balance was evaluated by baropodometry, estabilometria and Berg Scale before and after intervention with psychomotor exercises of global motor coordination and spacial and temporal organization. Results: The area of surface and speed step in gait before and after the intervention were statistically significant in paired t-test (p<0.001 and p<0.03, respectively). The stabilometric analysis with closed eyes there was no difference in parameters of average speed oscillatory (p<0.050) and oscillation antero-posterior (p<0.016) by paired t-test. Conclusion: These results suggest that the psychomotor intervention improved the dynamics of gait and balance.