1
|
Park HJ, Thapa N, Bae S, Yang JG, Choi J, Noh ES, Park H. Association between Physical Function, Mental Function and Frailty in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Clin Med 2024; 13:3207. [PMID: 38892918 PMCID: PMC11172678 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13113207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: This study examines the relationship between physical and mental function and frailty, independently and in conjunction with polypharmacy, among older adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study consisted of 368 participants aged ≥60 years. The participants were categorized into either robust or frail groups using Fried's frailty phenotype. Physical functions were assessed using grip strength, gait speed, Timed Up and Go (TUG), the Five Chair Sit to Stand Test (FCSST) and the Six-Minute Walk Test (SMWT). Mental functions were assessed using cognitive function and depression. Cognitive function was measured using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Depression was assessed with the Korean version of the Short Geriatric Depression Scale (SGDS). Results: The mean age of study population was 75.4 years. In this population, we identified 78.8% (n = 290) robust participants and 21.2% (n = 78) frail participants. The study examined frailty status (frail vs. non-frail) and frailty with and without polypharmacy using multivariate logistic regressions, adjusting for age and sex. In the logistic regression model estimating the risk of frailty, after adjustments for age, sex, BMI, and number of medications, individuals with low SMWT showed a significantly increased risk of frailty, with an odds ratio (OR) of 8.66 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 4.55-16.48. Additionally, global cognitive function was associated with a 1.97-fold increase in frailty risk (95% CI: 1.02-3.67). Moreover, in models adjusted for age, sex, and BMI to assess frailty risk linked to polypharmacy, the TUG, SMWT, and SGDS all showed increased risks, with ORs of 3.65 (95% CI: 1.07-12.47), 5.06 (95% CI: 1.40-18.32), and 5.71 (95% CI: 1.79-18.18), respectively. Conclusions: Physical function (SMWT, FCSST, TUG) and mental function (depression, cognition) were associated with frailty. By comprehensively examining these factors, we will gain valuable insights into frailty and enable more precise strategies for intervention and prevention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Hyuntae Park
- Department of Healthcare and Science, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Republic of Korea; (H.-J.P.); (N.T.); (S.B.); (J.-G.Y.); (J.C.); (E.-S.N.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tanaka S, Imaizumi T, Morohashi A, Sato K, Shibata A, Fukuta A, Nakagawa R, Nagaya M, Nishida Y, Hara K, Katsuno M, Suzuki Y, Nagao Y. In-Hospital Fall Risk Prediction by Objective Measurement of Lower Extremity Function in a High-Risk Population. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2023; 24:1861-1867.e2. [PMID: 37633314 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2023.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Limited data exist regarding association between physical performance and in-hospital falls. This study was performed to investigate the association between physical performance and in-hospital falls in a high-risk population. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS The study population consisted of 1200 consecutive patients with a median age of 74 years (50.8% men) admitted to a ward with high incidence rates of falls, primarily in the departments of geriatrics and neurology, in a university hospital between January 2019 and December 2021. METHODS Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) was measured after treatment in the acute phase. As the primary end point of the study, the incidence of in-hospital falls was examined prospectively based on data from mandatory standardized incident report forms and electronic patient records. RESULTS SPPB assessment was performed at a median of 3 days after admission, and the study population had a median SPPB score of 3 points. Falls occurred in 101 patients (8.4%) over a median hospital stay of 15 days. SPPB score showed a significant inverse association with the incidence of in-hospital falls after adjusting for possible confounders (adjusted odds ratio for each 1-point decrease in SPPB: 1.19, 95% CI 1.10-1.28; P < .001), and an SPPB score ≤6 was significantly associated with increased risk of in-hospital falls. Inclusion of SPPB with previously identified risk factors significantly increased the area under the curve for in-hospital falls (0.683 vs. 0.740, P = .003). CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS This study demonstrated an inverse association of SPPB score with risk of in-hospital falls in a high-risk population and showed that SPPB assessment is useful for accurate risk stratification in a hospital setting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shinya Tanaka
- Department of Rehabilitation, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takahiro Imaizumi
- Department of Advanced Medicine, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan.
| | - Akemi Morohashi
- Department of Advanced Medicine, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Katsunari Sato
- Department of Rehabilitation, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Atsushi Shibata
- Department of Rehabilitation, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Akimasa Fukuta
- Department of Rehabilitation, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Riko Nakagawa
- Department of Rehabilitation, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Motoki Nagaya
- Department of Rehabilitation, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Nishida
- Department of Rehabilitation, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Hara
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masahisa Katsuno
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yusuke Suzuki
- Center for Community Liaison and Patient Consultations, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Nagao
- Department of Patient Safety, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wu X, Guo J, Chen X, Han P, Huang L, Peng Y, Zhou X, Huang J, Wei C, Zheng Y, Zhang Z, Li M, Guo Q. Comparison of the relationship between cognitive function and future falls in Chinese community-dwelling older adults with and without diabetes mellitus. J Formos Med Assoc 2023; 122:603-611. [PMID: 36336606 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2022.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine whether cognitive function is associated with future falls in older patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) compared with those without DM. Cognitive function was divided into several domains to further analyze. METHODS A total of 678 individuals met the inclusion criteria and comprised the final study population. The mean age was 74.35 ± 5.35 years, and 58.9% of the participants were female (n = 400). At the baseline, cognitive function was measured by the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and DM diagnoses were determined by medical records. The self-reported any falls data were obtained via face-to-face questioning at the 1-year follow-up. RESULTS At baseline, 15.6% of participants (n = 106) were diagnosed with DM. According to whether they had any falls during 1-year follow-up, there was a significant difference between the two group in fasting plasma glucose (p = 0.012) and DM (p = 0.036) at baseline. Among the older adults with DM, those who had experienced any falls had poorer cognitive function (p = 0.014). After adjusting for various covariates, we found that MMSE (95% CI 0.790-0.991, p = 0.034), orientation to place (95% CI 0.307-0.911, p = 0.022) and registration (95% CI 0.162-0.768, p = 0.009) were significantly associated with falls in the follow-up. CONCLUSION Our study found that in patients with DM, cognitive function is related to future falls. Not only overall cognitive function, but also orientation to place and registration were all associated with future falls in older adults with DM. When completing the fall risk assessment of elderly patients with DM, clinicians should give more attention to the testing of cognitive function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinze Wu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China; Department of Internal Medicine and Rehabilitation Science, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Pudong New District, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinlong Guo
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xinlong Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Peipei Han
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Pudong New District, Shanghai, China
| | - Liqin Huang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Pudong New District, Shanghai, China
| | - Youran Peng
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Pudong New District, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Pudong New District, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiasen Huang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Pudong New District, Shanghai, China
| | - Chengyao Wei
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Pudong New District, Shanghai, China
| | | | | | - Ming Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Pudong New District, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Guo
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Pudong New District, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Merchant RA, Chan YH, Ling N, Denishkrshna A, Lim Z, Waters D. Association of physical function and body composition with falls in pre-frail older adults with poor physical performance: A cross-sectional study. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2023; 109:104957. [PMID: 36780754 DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2023.104957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Falls in pre-frail older adults is often attributed to poor physical performance, lower muscle quality and quantity. The aims of our study were to determine (i) demographics, physical function, and body composition in pre-frail older adults with poor physical performance (ii) characteristics of fallers amongst those with poor physical performance and (iii) association of physical function and body composition measures with falls in pre-frail older adults with poor physical performance. METHODS Cross-sectional study of 328 pre-frail community-dwelling older adults ≥ 60 years. Data was collected on demographics, cognition, short physical performance battery (SPPB) and gait speed. Poor physical performance was defined by SPPB ≤ 9, 5x chair-stand time ≥12 s or gait speed <1 m/s. InBody S10 used to measure body composition. RESULTS Mean age 72.51 years, 185(56.4%) females, 276(84.1%) of Chinese ethnicity and 257 (78.4%) had poor physical performance. Within the poor performers, SPPB balance (OR 0.50; 95% CI 0.27-0.92; p = 0.025) and 5x-chair-stand (OR 1.09; 95% CI 1.01-1.18; p = 0.038) in addition to higher body fat percentage, fat mass index, fat mass to fat free mass ratio, all segmental lean masses except for left leg and body cell mass were significantly associated with falls. CONCLUSIONS Longer chair-stand time, lower balance, low muscle and high fat mass are associated with falls in poor performers and could serve as screening tools for those at increased risk of falls. The findings from our study need to be validated prospectively in a larger population study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reshma Aziz Merchant
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore; Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Yiong Huak Chan
- Biostatistics Unit, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Natalie Ling
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - A Denishkrshna
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zhiying Lim
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Debra Waters
- Department of Medicine/ School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Silva JMM, da Silva Freitas JLG, Nóbrega JCL, Medeiros JB, Simões RFM, Olinda R, de Ferreira Santos JL, de Oliveira Duarte YA, Zatz M, Matheson D, Santos S, Menezes TN. Regional differences regarding the occurrence of falls and associated factors in two populations of Brazilian longevous people. BMC Geriatr 2022; 22:931. [PMID: 36460961 PMCID: PMC9719182 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-022-03630-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies have explored regional asymmetries and their implications for health policies regarding episodes of falls among the population of ≥80 years old in continental and developing countries like Brazil with deep inequalities and sociocultural differences. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the occurrence of falls and their association with functional capacity and nutritional status in the longest oldest-old living in two municipalities in the Northeast and Southeast of Brazil. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study, with primary data collection in which were included in the research seniors aged 80 years or more, of both sexes, belonging to two Brazilian municipalities of discrepant socioeconomic aspects. The dependent variable was the occurrence of falls in the last year. The independent variables were grouped into demographic aspects, functional capacity and nutritional status. To identify variables that contribute to the occurrence of falls, the multiple logistic regression model, adopts a significance level of 5%. RESULTS The sample was composed of 415 oldest-old adults. From the total, 32.3% reported having fallen in the last year, 24.7% in Brejo dos Santos and 37.8% in São Paulo. Among the former population, the mean value of walking speed for those who had falls was 0.27 m/s and for those who had no occurrence of falls was 0.33 m/s; and, among the seniors from São Paulo, the mean values were 0.51 m/s and 0.58 m/s, respectively. Significant correlations between walking speed and falls were verified for both populations, showing that the lower the walking speed, the higher the predisposition to falls. In the final regression model, the occurrence of falls was associated with moderate balance (OR = 5.28; CI: 1.11-25.18) among the longevous people Brejo dos Santos and with very poor functional performance (OR = 16.09; CI:1.46-177.06) among those from São Paulo. CONCLUSION The results pointed out a lower prevalence of falls in longevous people from Brejo dos Santos than in those from São Paulo and differences regarding the associated factors, showing heterogeneity between the two populations; indicating the need for public policies and effective programmes aimed at preventing falls based on the maintenance or increase of functional capacity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jaíza M M Silva
- Public Health Program, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba (UEPB), Campina Grande, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Ricardo Olinda
- Department of Statistics, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba (UEPB), Campina Grande, Brazil
| | | | | | - Mayana Zatz
- Human Genome Studies Center, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - David Matheson
- Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK
| | - Silvana Santos
- Public Health Program, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba (UEPB), Campina Grande, Brazil.
- Department of Biology, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba (UEPB), Campina Grande, Brazil.
| | - Tarciana Nobre Menezes
- Public Health Program, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba (UEPB), Campina Grande, Brazil
- Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba (UEPB), Campina Grande, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kim M, Oh JH, Won CW. Sex-Specific Differences in Lower Body Fat Distribution and Association with Physical Performance among Healthy Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Pilot Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19074201. [PMID: 35409882 PMCID: PMC8998698 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19074201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to examine sex-specific differences in body composition and lower extremity fat distribution and their association with physical performance among healthy older adults. The pilot study comprises 40 subjects (20 men and 20 women) matched by age and body mass index. The participants undergo dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, magnetic resonance imaging, and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) to assess body composition and lower extremity fat distribution. 1H-MRS is used to measure the extramyocellular lipid (EMCL) and intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) contents of the lower leg muscles (soleus and tibialis anterior) at the maximum circumference of the calf after overnight fasting. The tibialis anterior IMCL, as assessed by 1H-MRS, is negatively associated with the five-times sit-to-stand test scores (rs = 0.518, p = 0.023) in men, while the soleus IMCL content is negatively associated with the timed up-and-go test scores (rs = 0.472, p = 0.048) in women. However, the soleus EMCL content is positively associated with the five-times sit-to-stand test scores (rs = −0.488, p = 0.040) in women, but this association is not statistically significant in men. This study shows an inverse correlation between IMCL content and physical performance in healthy older individuals and lower leg muscle-specific IMCL based on sex differences. Furthermore, our results suggest that greater EMCL content in the soleus and calf subcutaneous fat might affect physical performance positively in women but not men.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miji Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, College of Medicine, East-West Medical Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea
- Correspondence: (M.K.); (C.W.W.); Tel.: +82-2-958-2840 (M.K.); +82-2-958-8700 (C.W.W.)
| | - Jang-Hoon Oh
- Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea;
| | - Chang Won Won
- Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea
- Correspondence: (M.K.); (C.W.W.); Tel.: +82-2-958-2840 (M.K.); +82-2-958-8700 (C.W.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kim M, Won CW. Cut Points of Chair Stand Test for Poor Physical Function and Its Association With Adverse Health Outcomes in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Study. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2021; 23:1375-1382.e3. [PMID: 34883057 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2021.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To identify the optimal cutoff points for poor physical function [measured by a 5-times sit-to-stand (5-STS) test] associated with slowness in community-dwelling older adults and to validate the 5-STS cut points by determining whether they predicted future slowness and clinically relevant health outcomes over a 2-year-follow-up period. DESIGN Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of a cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS We conducted cross-sectional (n = 2977) and prospective 2-year follow-up analyses (n = 2515) among participants aged 70-84 years enrolled in the nationwide Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study (KFACS). METHODS Classification and regression tree (CART) analysis was used to identify the 5-STS cut points for poor performance in terms of slowness (eg, gait speed ≥1.0 m/s, gait speed >0.8 m/s and <1.0 m/s, gait speed ≤0.8 m/s) at baseline. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to evaluate the prevalence and incidence of slowness and clinical outcomes according to the three 5-STS categories (normal, intermediate, and poor) in the cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. RESULTS The overall prevalence of slowness in our study sample was 9.0% for a gait speed of ≤0.8 m/s and 32.1% for a gait speed of <1.0 m/s. The CART model identified 5-STS cut points of 10.8 seconds and 12.8 seconds for intermediate and poor physical function, respectively. In the adjusted model, the cut point of 12.8 seconds had a significantly increased likelihood of incident slowness and clinically relevant health outcomes (ie, mobility limitation, disability, frailty, sarcopenia risk, and falls) over the 2-year-follow-up period (all, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Our study established 5-STS test cutoff points for poor physical function. Thresholds of 10.8 and 12.8 seconds (intermediate and poor physical function, respectively) for a 5-STS test might help identify individuals at risk of physical function impairments and, thus, help design preventive interventions in community health care settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miji Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, College of Medicine, East-West Medical Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chang Won Won
- Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea; Department of Family Medicine, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Loddo S, Costaggiu D, Palimodde A, Cogoni E, Putzu S, Serchisu L, Laconi R, Scuteri A, Mandas A. Emergency department: risk stratification in the elderly. JOURNAL OF GERONTOLOGY AND GERIATRICS 2021. [DOI: 10.36150/2499-6564-n352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
|
9
|
Robotic balance assessment in community-dwelling older people with different grades of impairment of physical performance. Aging Clin Exp Res 2020; 32:491-503. [PMID: 31691151 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-019-01395-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/19/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impaired physical performance is common in older adults and has been identified as a major risk factor for falls. To date, there are no conclusive data on the impairment of balance parameters in older subjects with different levels of physical performance. AIMS The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between different grades of physical performance, as assessed by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and the multidimensional balance control parameters, as measured by means of a robotic system, in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS This study enrolled subjects aged ≥ 65 years. Balance parameters were assessed by the hunova robot in static and dynamic (unstable and perturbating) conditions, in both standing and seated positions and with the eyes open/closed. RESULTS The study population consisted of 96 subjects (62 females, mean age 77.2 ± 6.5 years). According to their SPPB scores, subjects were separated into poor performers (SPPB < 8, n = 29), intermediate performers (SPPB = 8-9, n = 29) and good performers (SPPB > 9, n = 38). Poor performers displayed significantly worse balance control, showing impaired trunk control in most of the standing and sitting balance tests, especially in dynamic (both with unstable and perturbating platform/seat) conditions. CONCLUSIONS For the first time, multidimensional balance parameters, as detected by the hunova robotic system, were significantly correlated with SPPB functional performances in community-dwelling older subjects. In addition, balance parameters in dynamic conditions proved to be more sensitive in detecting balance impairments than static tests.
Collapse
|