Exercise to Improve Balance in Older Adults With Hearing Impairment - a Proof-of-concept Study

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Study design: This is an experimental (exercise) study with follow-ups three and twelve months after exercise completion. Participants: Participants will be recruited from two instances: "Praksisnett", which is a collaboration between GPs and researchers in Bergen, Norway, where GPs recruit potentia...

Study design: This is an experimental (exercise) study with follow-ups three and twelve months after exercise completion. Participants: Participants will be recruited from two instances: "Praksisnett", which is a collaboration between GPs and researchers in Bergen, Norway, where GPs recruit potential participants to research projects. The Ear, Nose, Throat department at Haukeland University Hospital (Bergen), who provide service to older adults with hearing impairment. The aim is to include 60 patients into three intervention arms: i) virtual reality exercises, ii) vestibular rehabilitation exercises and usual care Intervention arms: Virtual reality exercises: Participants will exercise in virtual environments twice weekly. The choice of environments/tasks will be individualized, and progress from sitting/standing exercises, to doing exercises while walking on a treadmill. The aim is to perform cognitive and motor tasks simultanously. Vestibular rehabilitation exercises: This is an exercise approach that has been used in clinical groups, such as patients with vestibular disorders and traumatic brain injury. The aim is to perform movements/exercises where the participant is exposed gradually to movements that may be provocative for the vestibular system. The exercises will be done in a movement lab at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. Participants will be randomised to either of the three intervention arms using a computerized procedure. Neither participants, testers or deliverers of the intervention will be blinded. Testers and intervention deliverers will be physiotherapists, students enrolled in a master program in clinical physiotherapy and bachelor students in physiotherapy.

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