The Effects of Somatic-Based Chair Exercises in the Elderly

Sperimentale: Somatic-based Chair Exercise Group

This group will participate in a structured somatic-based chair exercise program. The program will last for 8 weeks, with sessions held twice a week, each lasting 35 to 40 minutes.

Altro: Somatic-Based Chair Exercises

The intervention includes a structured somatic-based chair exercise program (SSCE) developed in accordance with Thomas Hanna's somatic education approach. The program consists of gentle, slow, and controlled movements incorporating pandiculation techniques to improve body awareness and movement control. Exercises target multiple body regions, including the neck, trunk, pelvis, shoulders, upper and lower extremities, wrists, hips, and ankles. Sessions will be performed twice weekly for 8 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 35-40 minutes. A total of 35 volunteers will be enrolled in the SSCE.

Altri nomi:

• Structured Somatic-Based Chair Exercises
• SSCE

Comparatore attivo: Conventional Exercise Group

The conventional exercise group will participate in a program that combines static stretching and range of motion (ROM) exercises. The exercise program will last for 8 weeks, with sessions held twice a week, each lasting 35 to 40 minutes.

Altro: Conventional Exercise Group

A total of 35 volunteers will be enrolled in the conventional exercise program, which combines range of motion (ROM) exercises and passive stretching of the same body regions and muscle groups as those addressed in the somatic exercise group.

Pain Assessment

Pain will be assessed via the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). BPI measures two objectives: the subjective severity of pain and the causal effect of pain. The questions include numerical rating scales from 0 to 10 (0: none; 1-4: mild; 5-6: moderate, and 7-10: severe).

Balance Ability Assessment

Balance ability will be assessed by using the Berg Balance Test (BBT).

The BBT measures balance ability (static and dynamic) among older adults. It is a qualitative measure that assesses balance by performing functional activities such as reaching, bending, transferring, and standing, including most components of postural control. The test contains 14 items. A higher score indicates better balance and a lower risk of falling.

Objective Balance Assessment via Becure Balance System

Objective balance performance will be assessed using the Becure Balance System. The system utilizes the Nintendo WiiFit balance board integrated with computer-based software to evaluate static standing balance, center of gravity distribution, and postural oscillations. The validity and reliability of the system have previously been established.

Cognitive Assessment

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA) will be used to assess changes in cognitive levels after the exercise program. The scale is scored between 0 and 30, and includes 6 cognitive functions (memory, visual-spatial skills, executive functions, attention, concentration and working memory tasks, language, and orientation). Higher scores indicate better cognitive performance.

Quality of Life Assessment

The Quality of Life Scale in the Elderly (CASP-19) will be used to determine changes in the volunteers' quality of life after the exercise program. CASP-19 consists of 19 items and 4 sub-dimensions as 'Control', 'Autonomy', 'Enjoyment', and 'Self-actualization'. Each item of the scale is rated on a 4-point Likert scale (0-3). Higher scores indicate better perceived quality of life and well-being in older adults.

Assessment of Mobility

The Timed Up and Go test (TUG) will be used to assess mobility along with fall risk. TUG correlates well with balance, gait speed, and functional capacity.

In this test, participants are instructed to stand up from a standard chair, walk 3 meters at a comfortable, safe pace, turn around, walk back to the chair, and sit down again.

The total time required to complete the task is recorded in seconds. Shorter completion times indicate better functional mobility and dynamic balance, whereas longer times indicate poorer mobility and increased fall risk.

Upper Extremity Muscle Strength Assessment

The Weight Lifting Test (Arm Curl Test) will be used to assess upper extremity muscle strength. Participants perform as many arm curls as possible within 30 seconds while holding a standardized weight [5 lbs (2.3 kg) for women and 8 lbs (3.6 kg) for men].

Higher repetition counts indicate better upper extremity muscle strength.

Upper Extremity Flexibility Assessment

Upper extremity flexibility will be assessed using the Back Scratch Test (Apley Scratch Test). The test measures the distance between or the overlap of the middle fingers behind the back. An overlap between the fingers is recorded as a positive value, whereas a gap between the fingers is recorded as a negative value. Higher positive values indicate better upper extremity flexibility.

Lower Extremity Muscle Strength Assessment

Lower extremity muscle strength will be assessed using the 30-Second Sit-to-Stand Test. Participants perform as many sit-to-stand repetitions as possible within 30 seconds. Higher repetition counts indicate better lower extremity muscle strength.

Lower Extremity Flexibility Assessment

Lower extremity flexibility will be assessed using the Chair Sit-and-Reach Test. The test measures the distance between the fingertips and toes while reaching toward the foot from a seated position. The distance between the fingertips and the toes is measured in centimeters. Reaching beyond the toes is recorded as a positive value, whereas the inability to reach the toes is recorded as a negative value. Higher positive values indicate better lower extremity flexibility.

The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)

The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) will be used to identify the volunteers to be included in the study, as volunteers scoring 24-point or higher on the MMSE will be included in the study.

The MMSE is a 30-point questionnaire commonly used to evaluate cognitive function, including orientation, attention, memory, language, and visuospatial skills. Scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive function.