Effectiveness of Individual and Group-Based Exercises on Balance, Gait and Depression in the Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

Balance, gait, and mental status are key determinants of health and quality of life in older adults. This randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the effects of individual and group-based exercises on these parameters among elderly residents of a private retirement home in Istanbul, Turkey. Twenty-four participants aged over 65 were randomly assigned to either the individual exercise group (IG) or the group-based exercise group (GG). Both groups performed active range of motion, balance, and stretching exercises, three times per week for eight weeks. While IG participants exercised independently, GG participants trained under the supervision of a physiotherapist. Baseline and post-intervention assessments included the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Tinetti Balance Test (TBT), Tinetti Gait Test (TGT), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). There were no significant baseline differences. After eight weeks, the GG showed significant improvements in BBS (p=0.013), TBT (p=0.011), and BDI (p=0.039) compared to IG, indicating beneficial effects on balance and mental status.