Background: Falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults, with rural elderly populations in Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea, experiencing particularly high fall rates (8.4%). Shoulder dysfunction is prevalent among rural older adults and may contribute to impaired balance and increased fall risk. Community-based interventions targeting shoulder function represent a potential strategy for fall prevention in underserved rural areas.
Objectives: This study investigated the impact of targeted shoulder-focused physical therapy on enhancing upper-limb function and postural stability among community-dwelling older adults in rural regions.
Design: A pre-post intervention study.
Methods: Forty-four older adults aged 65 years and above from five rural communities in Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea, participated in this study. Assessments were performed before and after two intervention sessions spaced two weeks apart. Shoulder function was assessed using the Apley's scratch test and TheraBand resistance for abduction and flexion strength. Balance was measured using the BT-4 Balance Trainer for static and dynamic stability, and functional mobility was examined through sit-to-stand and timed up-and-go tests. The intervention included 20 minutes of individualized physical therapy by an experienced therapist and 20 minutes of personalized exercise guidance by trained student researchers.
Results: Shoulder range of motion and muscle strength in both abduction and flexion showed significant improvement (P<.05). Static balance (C90 area with eyes closed) and dynamic balance in forward and lateral directions demonstrated significant enhancement (P<.05). No significant changes were observed in functional mobility tests.
Conclusion: Shoulder-specific physical therapy programs can effectively improve upper-limb function and balance control, thereby reducing fall risk among rural older adults as a practical community-based fall prevention strategy.