Effect of Soft Knee Support on Dynamic and Static Balance in the Male Elderly

Objectives: Joint supporters can caused increasing proprioceptive information. Such proprioceptive information is needed for balance. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of soft knee support on static and dynamic balance tests in male elderly (65 years and older). Methods & Materials: Via a randomized clinical trial study design, 22 elderly were selected and divided into two groups of case and control. Evaluation obtained by applying means of static balance as double leg standing, tandem standing and single leg standing that were executed in three different situations (on firm surface with open eye, on firm surface with closed eye and on soft surface with closed eye). For evaluation of dynamic balance repetitive chair standing, timed walking (twice), functional reach (with open and closed eye) and four square stepping tests were used. ANOVA repetitive measure test is used for comparing case and control performance in balance tests. Results: Findings did not show any difference between different stage of evaluation before and after bracing in static and dynamic balance tests. Comparing case and control groups in dynamic and static test also did not show any significant different. Conclusion: Knee supporters are not advised be used for enhancing balance in the elderly. Furthermore we did not have any postural control limitation in prescribing of knee supporter for other goals.