Physiotherapy
Volume 96, Issue 4 , Pages 324-336 , December 2010

Feldenkrais Method balance classes are based on principles of motor learning and postural control retraining: a qualitative research study

  • Karol A. Connors

      Affiliations

    • Physiotherapy Department, Calvary Health Care Bethlehem, Caulfield, Victoria, Australia
  • ,
  • Mary P. Galea

      Affiliations

    • Rehabilitation Sciences Research Centre, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
    • Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author at: Physiotherapy, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia. Tel.: +61 8344 4171/9490 7645; fax: +61 8344 4188/9490 7648.
  • ,
  • Cathy M. Said

      Affiliations

    • Rehabilitation Sciences Research Centre, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
    • Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
  • ,
  • Louisa J. Remedios

      Affiliations

    • Rehabilitation Sciences Research Centre, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia

References 

  1. Gillespie L, Gillespie W, Robertson M, Lamb S, Cumming R, Rowe B. Interventions for preventing falls in elderly people. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;4:CD000340
  2. Sherrington C, Whitney J, Lord S, Herbert R, Cumming R, Close J. Effective exercise for prevention of falls: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2008;56:2234–2243
  3. Feldenkrais M. Awareness Through Movement: health exercises for personal growth. London: Arkana; 1990;
  4. Stephens JL, Davidson J, De Rosa J, Kriz M, Saltzman N. Lengthening the hamstring muscles without stretching using ‘Awareness Through Movement’. Phys Ther. 2006;86:1641–1650
  5. In:  Feldenkrais M editors. The Feldenkrais Method. Awareness Through Movement Lessons. Paris: International Feldenkrais Federation; 1995;
  6. Connors KA. An investigation into Feldenkrais Method movement classes and their effect on balance in older adults. Melbourne: University of Melbourne; 2008;p. 188
  7. Hall S. Study of the effects of various forms of exercise on balance in older women. In:  Stephens J editors. Research studies. USA: Feldenkrais Educational Foundation of North America in Portland, Oregon; 2001;
  8. Vrantsidis F, Hill KD, Mooree K, Webb R, Hunt S, Dowson L. Getting Grounded Gracefully: effectiveness and acceptability of Feldenkrais in improving balance. J Aging Phys Activ. 2009;17(1):57–76
  9. Stephens J, Pendergast C, Roller B, Weiskittel R. Learning to improve mobility and quality of life in a well elderly population: the benefits of Awareness Through Movement. Feldenkrais Res J. 2005;2:1–17
  10. Batson G, Deutsch J. Effects of Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement on balance in adults with chronic neurological deficits following stroke: a preliminary study. Complement Health Pract Rev. 2005;10:203–210
  11. Connors KA, Galea M, Said CM. Feldenkrais Method balance classes improve balance in older adults: a controlled trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2009;[advance access 24.06.09], doi:10.1093/ecam/nep055
  12. Stephens J, DuShuttle D, Hatcher C, Shmunes J, Slaninka C. Use of Awareness Through Movement improves balance and balance confidence in people with multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled study. Neurol Rep. 2001;25:39–49
  13. Mayring P. Qualitative content analysis. In:  Flick U editors. A companion to qualitative research. London: Sage Publications; 2004;
  14. Webb R. Getting Grounded Gracefully CD series. Feldenkrais Connections, Lower Templestowe, Melbourne; 2005. Available at: www.gettinggroundedgracefully.com.au. Website last accessed 11/12/2009.
  15. Krippendorff K. Content analysis: an introduction to its methodology. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications; 2004;
  16. Silverman D. Interpreting qualitative data. 3rd ed.. London: Sage Publications; 2006;
  17. Schmidt R, Bjork R. New conceptualizations of practice: common principles in three paradigms suggest new concepts for training. Psychol Sci. 1992;3:207–216
  18. Newell KM. Change in movement and skill: learning, retention and transfer. In:  Latash M,  Turvey M editor. Dexterity and its development. Mahwah, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates; 1996;p. 393–430
  19. Higgins S. Motor skill acquisition. Phys Ther. 1991;71:117–123
  20. Laguna PL. Comparison of sources of task-related information during motor skill acquisition and performance of a complex motor task. J Hum Move Stud. 2004;47:155–181
  21. Newell KM. Motor skill acquisition. Ann Rev Psychol. 1991;42:213–237
  22. Overdorf V, Schweighardt R, Page SJ, McGrath RE. Mental and physical practice schedules in acquisition and retention of novel timing skills. Percept Motor Skills. 2004;99:51–62
  23. Krakauer J. Motor learning: its relevance to stroke recovery and neurorehabilitation. Curr Opin Neurol. 2006;19:84–90
  24. Van Vliet P, Wulf G. Extrinsic feedback for motor learning: what is the evidence?. Disabil Rehabil. 2006;28:831–840
  25. Van Dijk H, Jannick M, Hermens H. The effect of augmented feedback on motor function of the affected upper extremity in rehabilitation patients: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials. J Rehabil Med. 2005;37:202–211
  26. Mulder T. Motor imagery and action observation: cognitive tools for rehabilitation. J Neur Transmiss. 2007;114:1265–1278
  27. Shumway-Cook A. Motor control: translating research into clinical practice. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2007;
  28. Pollock A, Durward B, Rowe P, Paul J. What is balance?. Clin Rehabil. 2000;14:402–406
  29. Blackburn J, Riemann B, Myers J, Lephart S. Kinematic analysis of the hip and trunk during bilateral stance on firm, foam and multiaxial support surfaces. Clin Biomech. 2003;18:655–661
  30. Gruneberg C, Bloem B, Honegger F, Allum J. The influence of artificially increased hip and trunk stiffness on balance control in man. Exp Brain Res. 2004;157:472–485
  31. Paquette C, Paquet N, Fung J. Aging affects coordination of rapid head motions with trunk and pelvis movements during standing and walking. Gait Posture. 2006;24:62–69
  32. Carpenter M, Adkin A, Brawley L, Frank J. Postural, physiological and psychological reactions to challenging balance: does age make a difference?. Age Ageing. 2006;35:289–303
  33. Richards L. Handling qualitative data: a practical guide. London: Sage Publications; 2005;
  34. Altman D. Practical statistics for medical research. London: Chapman and Hall; 1991;
  35. Gardner M, Buchner D, Robertson C, Campbell J. Practical implementation of an exercise-based falls prevention programme. Age Ageing. 2001;30:77–83
  36. Bella M. Mobility training for the older adult. Top Geriatr Rehabil. 2003;19:191–198
  37. Feldenkrais M. Body and mature behaviour: a study of anxiety, sex, gravitation and learning. Madison, CT: International Universities Press (original work published 1949); 1996;
  38. Buchanan P, Ulrich B. The Feldenkrais Method: a dynamic approach to changing motor behavior. Res Quart Exerc Sport. 2001;72:315–323
  39. Newton S. Sample class: B.A.S.E. training. IDEA Fitness J. 2005;99–100
  40. Nnodim J, Strasburg D, Nabozny M, Nyquist L, Galecki A, Chen S, et al. Dynamic balance and stepping versus Tai Chi training to improve balance and stepping in at-risk older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2006;54:1825–1831
  41. Patla A. Adaptability of human gait: implications for the control of locomotion. Amsterdam: Elsevier; 1991;
  42. Van Vliet P, Heneghan N. Motor control and the management of musculoskeletal dysfunction. Man Ther. 2006;11:208–213
  43. Shkuratova N, Morris M, Huxham F. Effects of age on balance control during walking. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2004;85:582–588

PII: S0031-9406(10)00029-5

doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2010.01.004

Physiotherapy
Volume 96, Issue 4 , Pages 324-336 , December 2010