Exercise participation with videotaped modeling: Effects on balance and gait in elderly residents of care facilities

Abstract

We conducted two studies of the effects of videotaped modeling procedures on performance of a therapeutic exercise routine and the resulting improvements in the gait and balance of elderly residents of a care facility. In Study 1, five elderly, mentally retarded women used a videotape of themselves to guide their performance of the exercises. Data collected on exercise participation showed high levels of independent performance for up to 6 months. The results of a multiple baseline design across subjects and exercise groups showed that these levels were sufficient to produce increases in accuracy and rate on a balance board walk test. For the three elderly (two mildly mentally retarded) women in Study 2, videotaped modeling by either the participant or a familiar peer resulted in high levels of independent exercise in free choice situations. The results of a multiple baseline design across subjects showed that performance of the exercises produced improvements in one or more dimensions of gait during a balance walk test.