Walking meditation promotes ankle proprioception and balance performance among elderly women.

An 8-week walking meditation program improved ankle proprioception and balance in elderly women. Fifty-eight women (average age 69) were randomly assigned to walking meditation or a control group. The meditation group practiced 30 minutes daily, three days per week. After training, they showed reduced ankle reposition error (from 4.2° to 2.4°) and improved scores on the Berg Balance Scale, Functional Reach Test, and Timed Up and Go test. The control group showed no change in ankle error and worsened balance measures. The authors suggest walking meditation may serve as an alternative training to promote balance and proprioception in older adults.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Age-related change of proprioception affects body balance among the elderly. Walking meditation (WM)-a mindfulness practice-involves focusing on leg movements while walking slowly, possibly improving brain processes for perception and balance adjustments. This study investigates the WM's effects on ankle proprioception and balance among the elderly. Fifty-eight women aged 69.25 ± 6.06 were randomized into control (n = 29) and WM (n = 29) groups. The WM group engaged in 8 weeks of WM practice (30 min/day, 3 days/week). The absolute angular error of the ankle reposition test (AAE) was measured by an electrogoniometer. The balance performance was evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Functional Reach Test (FRT), and Timed Up and Go test (TUG). Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test and BBS with nonparametric statistics. At baseline, the WM group's AAE, BBS, FRT, and TUG were 4.2 ± 1.6°, 51.3 ± 4.1 points, 21.7 ± 5.7 cm, and 11.1 ± 2.5 s, respectively, whereas those of the control group were 3.6 ± 2.0°, 51.0 ± 5.0 points, 21.6 ± 5.2 cm, and 10.2 ± 3.1 s, respectively. Post-training, WM group showed significant decrease in AAE (2.4 ± 0.9°) and displayed improvements in BBS, FRT, and TUG (55.4 ± 0.9 points, 29.1 ± 5.8 cm, and 8.1 ± 1.1 s, respectively) (p < 0.01). Conversely, the control group presented no change in AAE, significant decreases in BBS and FRT, and slower TUG (p < 0.01). No difference was found between WM and control groups at the baseline. However, post-training, WM group demonstrated significant improvements in AAE, BBS, FRT, and TUG as compared to the control group (p < 0.001). WM practice improved the balance and ankle reposition sense among the elderly. It can be used as an alternative form of training to promote balance and ankle proprioception. The results supported that balance performance worsens among the elders who do not engage in physical training.