The Effects of Guided Relaxation and Exercise Imagery on Older Adults with a Fear of Falling

Abstract

Fear of falling (FOF) is a major health care concern within the elderly population. The main purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a six-week intervention that used Guided Relaxation and Exercise Imagery (GREI) techniques on lowering FOF rates among community dwelling adults aged 60 and above. A total of 184 older adults (mean age = 73.2) participated in a series of mobility (TUG; SLS) and FOF measures (1QFOF; Short FES-I; ABC Scale; EII). Participants were divided into four groups: two placebo control groups (PCG) and two intervention groups (IG). The intervention groups received instructions to use an audio CD containing a GREI program for 10 minutes a day, two times a week for six weeks. The control group received an audio CD that contained two relaxation tracks and were instructed to listen to music of their choice for five minutes after listening to a relaxation track. Through simple paired t-test and ANCOVA analysis, results revealed that the GREI CD had significant effects in reducing FOF (78%) and significantly increasing exercise imagery rates, efficacy in falls related activities, perceived exercise levels, and reducing time in a mobility test (e.g., TUG). There was also a significant reduction in FOF (20%) and significant increases in exercise imagery rates, efficacy, confidence, and a mobility test (e.g., TUG) for participants who had an FOF pretest and were in PCG. However, participants who were in PCG and did not have an FOF during pretest did not have significant differences in any of the tests except for a significant increase in falls efficacy. Overall, this study revealed that using a GREI CD for six weeks helped decrease levels of FOF for older adults aged 60 and above. GREI was also effective in increasing falls-related efficacy, exercise imagery, and perceived exercise levels. Further exploration of GREI and its effects on psychological variables related to FOF and falls may substantiate its effectiveness as a fear of falling intervention.