Järvinen et al say that the risk of falls remains largely overlooked in clinical practice because it is difficult to assess.1 We developed an exercise walkway for patients to use during outpatient visits. This consists of a series of 10 balance, breathing, and stretching exercises. The walkway starts and finishes with the “stork test”: a static balance test on one leg, with closed eyes. How long a person can stand on one leg, with eyes closed, is a direct measure of his or her balance and hence their risk of falls.2 We introduced the stork test to engage and motivate people to continue exercising.
We piloted the walkway with 108 people (57 patients, 16 relatives, 35 staff; 28 male; mean age 55 (13-85)). With the help of a trained volunteer, participants completed the walkway exercises and answered an anonymous questionnaire, documenting the stork test measurements and asking about demographics, previous exercise, and motivation to further exercise. The stork test time decreased with age and improved after the exercises. The overall mean times improved from 13.2 s to 18.4 s (P<0.001). The number with stork test times of less than 4 s decreased from 25 before exercise to 10 after exercise (P<0.001). Three quarters of them thought that they would continue the exercises at home, two thirdssaying that they had been influenced by the stork test.
Relatives and friends are invited to take part with patients as this helps overcome the embarrassment of exercising in a public place and encourages them to continue the exercises together at home.
Competing interests: None declared.
References
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