The Effect of Movement-Based Interventions on Balance and Gait in Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Soltani, Fateme; Ebrahimi, Ebrahim; Nourbakhsh, Seyed Alihossein

doi:10.48311/ijmpp.2026.119765.82920

The Effect of Movement-Based Interventions on Balance and Gait in Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Articles in Press

Document Type : Systematic Review

Authors

Fateme Soltani ¹

Ebrahim Ebrahimi ²

Seyed Alihossein Nourbakhsh ³

¹ Department of Corrective Exercise & Sport Injury, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran.

² Department of Sport Injuries and Biomechanics, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

³ Department of Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.

10.48311/ijmpp.2026.119765.82920

Abstract

Aims: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of movement-based interventions on balance and gait in older adults.
Methods and Materials: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PERSiST guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched for original, peer-reviewed articles using selected keywords from inception to April 2026. Google Scholar was also searched to identify additional records. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the PEDro scale.
Findings: Out of 311 records, five randomized controlled trials published between 2009 and 2025 met the inclusion criteria. Intervention durations ranged from eight to sixteen weeks. Movement-based interventions improved balance, as evidenced by enhancements in One-Leg Stance (OLS) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) scores, and also improved gait, as measured by the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and the 6-minute walk test.
Conclusion: This systematic review suggests that movement-based interventions may play a crucial role in improving balance and gait in older adults. Future studies should prioritize well-designed, large-scale randomized controlled trials with standardized protocols to enhance the reliability and comparability of findings.

Keywords

Elderly

Balance

Gait

Subjects