Exercises linking senses and movement benefited older adults more
After eight weeks, self-reported activity scores were 12.40 points higher with exercises linking senses and movement than with strengthening exercises.
Our read
Interventions- Studied:
- Randomized trial in 140 community-dwelling older adults, 8 weeks (Multicenter, registered CTRI-2025-03-083260)
- What changed:
- Physical activity scores were 12.40 points higher with sensorimotor exercise than with strengthening exercise
- The catch:
- Physical activity was self-reported, without objective measurement outside exercise sessions
- In the record:
- One of 7 papers on sensorimotor exercise on record: 5 with results in people.
Editor of record: Boris Djordjevic · AgingResearch.News
Older adults living in the community in Bangladesh—140 men and women aged 60–80—took part in a randomized trial comparing sensorimotor exercises, which link sensory input and movement, with strengthening exercises. Both groups received 24 supervised sessions over eight weeks.
Both groups improved in physical activity, physical performance, confidence about avoiding falls and quality of life. The sensorimotor group had higher self-reported activity scores and scored 0.37 points higher on confidence and 3.07 points higher on quality of life after eight weeks. The authors reported greater performance gains, but the range of likely values for the between-group difference included no difference. Four participants in the sensorimotor group and two in the strengthening group reported temporary discomfort, fatigue, dizziness or balance problems. All continued the program; no serious adverse events were reported.
Why it matters
For age-related declines in activity and physical function, the authors supported community sensorimotor programs as accessible, low-cost options for promoting independence and healthy aging.
Caveats
The fall-related outcome measured confidence rather than actual falls, and assessments ended after eight weeks. Participants could walk without aids; people with severe heart disease or uncontrolled high blood pressure were excluded.
From the paper
- Participants
During the intervention period, 13 participants did not complete the post-intervention assessment, resulting in 64 participants completing the CMEP-I program and 63 completing the CMEP-II program.
- Result
Physical activity (PASE) scores were comparable between groups at baseline (MD = −0.47; 95% CI: −7.04 to 6.10).
- Harms
Importantly, all symptoms resolved on their own without medical treatment, and no serious adverse events or long-term problems were reported.
- Limitation
First, the study was conducted in a specific geographic area in Bangladesh, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other cultural or healthcare settings.
Quoted word for word from the full text on PubMed Central.
- Sensorimotor exercise
- Modified Falls Efficacy Scale
- Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly
- SF-36
- Short Physical Performance Battery
- Humans
The paper
Jashore University of Science and Technology
Trials, Jun 3, 2026, Open access
Comments
Be the first to comment.