Intervenções do Enfermeiro Especialista em Enfermagem de Reabilitação promotoras do equilíbrio na pessoa idosa: Scoping Review

Paula Rocha; Joana Gaspar; Carlos Albuquerque; Susana Batista

doi:10.33194/rper.2026.43410

Authors

Paula Rocha ESSV - IPV https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7766-7239
Joana Gaspar Escola Superior de Saúde de Viseu, Viseu, Portugal https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7087-5429
Carlos Albuquerque Escola Superior de Saúde de Viseu, Viseu, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2297-0636
Susana Batista Escola Superior de Saúde de Viseu, Viseu, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0256-6027

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33194/rper.2026.43410

Keywords:

Aged Adults, Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation nursing, Postural Balance

Abstract

Introduction: Population aging is one of the greatest challenges in public health. Balance is crucial for the autonomy of older adults and is associated with fall prevention. The objective of this study was to map the scientific evidence on interventions by Rehabilitation Nursing specialists in that promote balance in older adults.

Methodology: A scoping review was conducted based on the guidelines defined by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI), guided by the research question: “What are the interventions of rehabilitation nurses that promote balance in older adults?” The search was conducted in the PubMed, CINAHL complete, MEDLINE complete, MedicLatina, Nursing & Allied Health Collection: Comprehensive, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases. All articles published in Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French between 2020 and 2025 that included older adults (≥65 years) living in the community were considered.

Results: Twenty-three studies were included, which showed four categories of interventions that promote balance in older adults: musculoarticular, sensorimotor, cognitive-motor, and multicomponent exercises. These strategies showed significant improvements in balance, gait, proprioception and fall prevention.

Conclusion: Rehabilitation nursing interventions that promote balance have a positive impact on maintaining functionality and preventing falls in older adults. Multicomponent programs that integrate muscle, sensory, and cognitive training are more effective in addressing this issue.

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Author Biography

Paula Rocha, ESSV - IPV

Paula Rocha completed her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing in 1995, at the Nursing School of Guarda. In 2001, she concluded her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing at Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Viseu. In 2007, she concluded the Postgraduate Specialization in Rehabilitation Nursing at the Nursing School of Viseu. In 2011 she completed a Master's Degree in Rehabilitation Nursing in the Viseu Nursing School. In 2012, she completed a Master's Degree in Health Care Unit Management at the University of Beira Interior. In 2013, she completed a Postgraduate Course in Non-Invasive Ventilation at Escola Superior de Enfermagem Dr. Lopes Dias. In 2018 concluded the Postgraduate Course in Occupational Nursing at the School of Health of Viseu. In 2022 she completed the Brief Course of Educational and Clinical Supervision in Nursing at the School of Health of Viseu. Since 2020 she attends the PhD Course in Nursing at the University of Lisbon/School of Nursing of Lisbon. She is a student of the Three-year programme of the EANS Summer School for Doctoral Studies. She was a nurse at the Hospital de Santo António dos Capuchos in Lisbon from 1995 to 1997. Since this date she works at the Hospital Sousa Martins of the ULS of Guarda, working as a Rehabilitation Nurse Specialist in the Pneumology Service and currently in the Orthopedics Service since 2009. She was a guest lecturer at the School of Health of the Polytechnic Institute of Guarda and at the School of Health of the Polytechnic Institute of Viseu. She is a member of the Research and Development Commission of the Centro Académico Clínico das Beiras (CACB). She is an integrated researcher at the Center for Research, Innovation and Development in Nursing of Lisbon (CIDNUR). She is co-responsible for the implementation of Nursing Information Systems in the Local Health Unit of Guarda. She is Co-Responsible for the development and implementation of Pioneer Projects (Rehabilitate+; Habilitate; Global Care; TOMBO Program - Multidisciplinary Occupational Therapy of Benefit in Osteoporosis). He has 11 published articles in the area of Rehabilitation. He made 49 oral communications in scientific events and presented 49 posters in scientific events. He was part of the organizing committee of 5 events. She has received 16 awards/honorable mentions, among which the Award of Excellence (1500 euros) from the Order of Nurses in 2012 stands out. It also had a formal recognition from APDH, in 2018, with the attribution of the Certificate of Good Practices. She is a member of the Expert Stock Exchange of the Ordem dos Enfermeiros (Portuguese Nurses Association). Since April 12, 2023, she has been an Adjunct Professor at Escola Superior de Saúde de Viseu of the Polytechnic Institute of Viseu (ESSV - IPV).

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