Effects of Otago Exercise Program on serum Interleukin-6 level in older women

BACKGROUND: Otago Exercise Program (OEP) has been demonstrated to minimize the risk of falling in older adults by improving muscular strength and balance. Meanwhile, reduced IL-6 level serves as a biomarker of regular physical activity. OBJECTIVE: Analyzing OEP effect on decreased IL-6 level in elderly women. METHODS: This study used a randomized control trial design from October 2020 to May 2021. 26 participants were divided into a treatment group (13 participants) and a control group (13 participants). The treatment group received OEP for 8 weeks, in which the OEP was carried out 3 times during the first week. On the other hand, the control group did not get intervention. The IL-6 level was measured 2 times, before and after OEP. The measurement results were analyzed using paired t-test and independent t-test, which were declared significant if p < 0.05. RESULTS: The participants' average IL-6 level at pretest and posttest was 4.77 ± 1.71 pg/mL and 4.57 ± 1.74 pg/mL, respectively. The IL-16 level of the treatment group at pretest and posttest was 4.22 ± 1.72 pg/mL and 3.97 ± 1.67 pg/mL, respectively (t = 1.058; 95% CI = −0.770 – 0.267; p = 0.311). Meanwhile, the IL-6 level of the control group at pretest and posttest was 5.30 ± 1.59 pg/mL and 5.16 ± 1.65 pg/mL, respectively (t = 0.382; 95% CI = −0.969 – 0.680; p = 0.709). The ΔIL-6 level in the treatment and control group was −0.25 ± 0.85 pg/mL and −0.14 ± 1.36 pg/mL, respectively (t = 0.240; 95% CI = −1.030 – 0.815; p = 0.813). CONCLUSION: The OEP didn't lower serum IL-6 levels after eight weeks.