Effects of balance training with and without gaze stabilization exercises on clinical outcomes in elderly patients with chronic dizziness: A randomized controlled trial

Objective: To compare the effects of balance training with and without Gaze Stabilization exercises on clinical outcomes in elderly patient with chronic dizziness.

Method: Total 64 participants after referral from neurologist at Lahore General Hospital were recruited in this study. These participants were randomly assigned into two groups i.e. Group A (Gaze group) and Group B (control group) with 32 participants in each group by sealed envelope method. Gaze group performed balance exercises with gaze stability exercise whereas, group B performed balance exercises with saccade eye exercises. Berg Balance Scale, Disability Handicapped Inventory, and Activity Specific Balance Confidence Scale were used to measure outcome variables.

Results: Demographic variables were represented by mean, standard deviation and frequency distribution. Results showed that there was no baseline difference between gaze and control group (p > 0.05). Both groups showed improved results with the gaze group showing significantly more improvement as compare to the control group on balance (p < 0.05, Mean Group A = 44.1, Mean group B = 40.91), perceived disability (p < 0.05, Mean Group A = 52.84, Group B = 56.09), and risk of fall (p < 0.05, Mean Group A = 53.84, Mean Group B = 50.72) respectively.

Conclusion: This study concluded that gaze stability exercises with balance training are effective in improving balance, level of perceived disability, and risk of fall prevention among elderly patients with chronic dizziness.