The Efficacy Of A "Kitchen Table" Exercise Protocol: Utilizing Household Furniture For Home-Based Fall Prevention In Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract

Background: Falls and declining mobility are important concerns among older adults. Home-based exercise can help maintain
strength, balance, and physical function, but access to supervised programs may be limited by transportation, cost, facilities,
and equipment. The "Kitchen Table" Exercise Protocol uses stable household furniture to support strengthening, balance, and
gait-related exercises within the home.
Objective: To determine the effect of the "Kitchen Table" Exercise Protocol on functional mobility and physical performance
and to compare the changes with a conventional home-based exercise program in community-dwelling older adults at risk of
falls.
Methods: A two-group randomized controlled trial with pre- and post-intervention assessment was designed for 40
community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and above. Participants were allocated to either the Kitchen Table Exercise Protocol
group (n=20) or the Conventional Home-Based Exercise group (n=20). Both groups exercised for 8 weeks, three sessions per
week, for approximately 30–40 minutes per session. Functional mobility was assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test,
and physical performance was assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB).
Results: Both groups showed significant improvement after 8 weeks. In the Kitchen Table group, mean TUG time decreased
from 13.14 ± 0.97 to 10.92 ± 0.86 seconds, while SPPB increased from 8.00 ± 0.73 to 9.95 ± 0.69 points (p < 0.001 for both).
In the Conventional Home-Based Exercise group, TUG decreased from 13.17 ± 0.77 to 11.93 ± 0.72 seconds and SPPB
increased from 8.00 ± 0.65 to 9.05 ± 0.69 points (p < 0.001 for both). Between-group analysis showed a greater change in the
Kitchen Table group for TUG (t = 14.74, p < 0.001) and SPPB (t = 12.73, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The simulated findings indicate that both exercise approaches were associated with improved functional mobility
and physical performance, with larger changes observed in the Kitchen Table Exercise Protocol group. The use of familiar
household furniture may provide a practical option for home-based exercise in older adults. These findings are based on
simulated data and require confirmation through research involving actual participants..