NORABIC EXERCISE, A MANORAH DANCE-BASED INTERVENTION FOR BALANCE IMPROVEMENT IN THE ELDERLY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37268/mjphm/vol.25/no.3/art.3222Abstract
The aging demographic is associated with an elevated risk of falls attributable to age-related deterioration in balance control. Norabic exercise, a culturally pertinent program derived from the traditional Manorah dance, may serve as a viable intervention to enhance postural stability in older persons. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of Norabic exercise in enhancing balance control in older individuals functioning in the community. A single-group pre–post study was performed in Thung Song District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand. Thirty-six elderly participants, aged 60 to 75 years (mean age = 65.2 ± 4.1 years), completed a 4-week Norabic exercise regimen. The intervention comprised video-guided sessions conducted by an instructor, featuring warm-up and cool-down exercises, executed three times weekly for 15 minutes per session. Balance was assessed using the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Data were examined utilizing paired t-tests. The mean Timed Up and Go (TUG) time decreased from 12.65 ± 3.46 seconds prior to the intervention to 10.15 ± 2.00 seconds subsequent to it (p < 0.05). The mean BBS score increased from 48.28 ± 3.90 to 50.28 ± 3.18 (p < 0.05). Norabic exercise, a Manorah dance-based activity, may enhance balance control in the elderly. The findings, although encouraging, must be taken with caution due to the limited sample size, brief intervention period, and lack of a control group. The cultural significance and straightforward video-guided approach indicate possibilities for community health enhancement.
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