Is there a relationship between complaints of impaired balance and postural control disorder in community-dwelling elderly women? A cross-sectional study with the use of posturography

Author(s)

Tanaka, Erika H. ^[1] ; Santos, Paulo F. ^[1] ; Reis, Julia G. ^[1] ; Rodrigues, Natalia C. ^[1] ; Moraes, Renato ^[2] ; Abreu, Daniela C. C. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Curso Fisioterapia, Dept Biomecan Med & Reabilitacao Aparelho Locomot, BR-14049 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Escola Educ Fis & Esporte Ribeirao Preto, Nucleo Apoio Pesquisa Doencas Cron Degenerat, BR-14049 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL THERAPY; v. 19, n. 3, p. 186-193, MAY-JUN 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 5

Abstract

Background: Risk of falls increases as age advances. Complaints of impaired balance are very common in the elderly age group. Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate whether the subjective perception of impaired balance was associated with deficits in postural control (objective analysis) in elderly community-dwelling women. Method: Static posturography was used in two groups: elderly women with (WC group) and without (NC group) complaints of impaired balance. The area, mean sway amplitude and mean speed of the center of pressure (COP) in the anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) directions were analyzed in three stances: single-leg stance, double-leg stance and tandem stance, with eyes open or closed on two different surfaces: stable (firm) and unstable (foam). A digital chronometer was activated to measure the time limit (Tlimit) in the single-leg stance. Kruskal-Wallis tests followed by Mann-Whitney tests, Friedman analyses followed by post hoc Wilcoxon tests and Bonferroni corrections, and Spearman statistical tests were used in the data analysis. Differences of p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The results of posturography variables revealed no differences between groups. The timed single-leg stance test revealed a shorter Tlimit in the left single-leg stance (p=0.01) in WC group compared to NC group. A negative correlation between posturography variables and Tlimit was detected. Conclusions: Posturography did not show any differences between the groups; however, the timed single-leg stance allowed the authors to observe differences in postural control performance between elderly women with and those without complaints of impaired balance. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/05666-4 - Influence of supervised and home exercise on postural control in elderly subjects: A randomized controlled trial to prevent falls
• Grantee: Erika Harumi Tanaka
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master