Integrated Effects of Thai Essential Oil and Balance Exercise on Parameters associated with Falls in Older Adults at Risk of Falling: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Content Provider	Europe PMC
Author	Areeudomwong, Pattanasin Duangyod, Thidarat Sutalangka, Chatchada Buttagat, Vitsarut
Copyright Year	2023
Abstract	Background Reducing the risk of falling by improving balance and leg strength may be a preventive strategy. This study evaluated the integrated effects of Thai essential oil and balance exercises on parameters associated with Falls in community-dwelling older adults at risk of falling. Methods Fifty-six participants were randomly allocated to either the intervention group (IG), which performed balance exercises while smelling Thai essential oil scents of Zanthoxylum limonella (Dennst.) Alston, or the control group (CG), which performed balance exercises while receiving a control patch. Balance exercises were practiced for 12, 30-minute sessions over 4 weeks. Static and dynamic balance with eyes open and eyes closed (EC), leg muscle strength, agility, and fear of falling were assessed at baseline, after the 4-week intervention, and at 1 month after the last intervention session. Results Both groups showed significant improvements in static and dynamic balance, ankle plantarflexor strength, and agility after the 4-week intervention (p<0.05), which persisted at the 1-month follow-up (p<0.05). Compared to the CG, the IG demonstrated significantly better static balance in terms of elliptical sway area (p=0.04) and center of pressure (CoP) velocity (p=0.001) during EC, as well as ankle plantarflexor strength (p=0.01). The IG also maintained a significantly greater improvement in CoP velocity during EC (p=0.01). Conclusion Integrated Thai essential oil and balance exercises improved static balance and ankle plantarflexor strength compared to the balance exercise with a control patch in older adults at risk of falling.
Related Links	https://europepmc.org/backend/ptpmcrender.fcgi?accid=PMC10326407&blobtype=pdf
ISSN	25084798
Volume Number	27
DOI	10.4235/agmr.23.0008
PubMed Central reference number	PMC10326407
Issue Number	2
PubMed reference number	37403317
Journal	Annals of Geriatric Medicine and Research [Ann Geriatr Med Res]
e-ISSN	25084909
Language	English
Publisher	Korean Geriatrics Society
Publisher Date	2023-06-23
Access Restriction	Open
Rights License	This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Copyright © 2023 Korean Geriatrics Society
Subject Keyword	Older adults Martial arts Odorants Physical fitness Postural balance Accidental falls
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Geriatrics and Gerontology