Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, Vol 54, Issue 1 M8-11, Copyright © 1999 by The Gerontological Society of America
Functional reach improvement in normal older women after Alexander Technique instruction
RJ Dennis
Alexander Technique of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. [email protected]
BACKGROUND: Functional reach (FR) is a clinical measure of balance. The
Alexander Technique (AT) is a nonexercise approach to the improvement of
body mechanics. This study investigated a possible relationship between FR
performance and AT instruction. METHODS: Three groups comprised of women
older than 65, with the exception of one male control, were studied: (i) a
pilot group, and (ii) experimental and (iii) control groups. Groups 1 and 2
were given eight 1-hour, biweekly sessions of AT instruction with pre- and
posttests in FR, whereas Group 3 was given only pre- and posttests in FR.
RESULTS: Groups 1 and 2 both showed significant improvement in FR
performance. Group 2 was retested 1 month after posttest and showed a
slight decrease in FR performance. For Groups 1 and 2, a questionnaire
allowing qualitative responses on a four-item scale showed an overall
positive response to the AT instruction. CONCLUSIONS: AT instruction may be
effective in improving balance and thereby reducing the incidence of falls
in normal older women.
