Almeida VPD, Guimarães FS, Moço VJR, Ferreira ADS, Menezes SLSD, Lopes AJ. Is there an association between postural balance and pulmonary function in adults with asthma?
Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2013;
68:1421-7. [PMID:
24270954 PMCID:
PMC3812553 DOI:
10.6061/clinics/2013(11)07]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2013] [Accepted: 06/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Asthma may cause systemic repercussions due to its severity and the effects of treatment. Our objective was to compare posture, balance, functional capacity, and quality of life (QOL) according to the severity of disease, as assessed by pulmonary function levels.
METHOD
This cross-sectional study evaluated fifty individuals with asthma. We compared two groups of adult individuals who were divided according to the median of the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) as follows: group A = FEV1>74% predicted; group B = FEV1<74% predicted. All patients underwent the following tests: spirometry, whole-body plethysmography, diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco), respiratory muscle strength, posture assessment, stabilometry, six-minute walking distance (6MWD), and QOL.
RESULTS
All pulmonary function variables exhibited statistically significant differences between the two groups, except for the DLco. The maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), and 6MWD were lower in group B. The maximal mediolateral velocity and the mediolateral displacement were significantly different, while the postural changes and QOL were similar between the groups.
CONCLUSIONS
In adult individuals with asthma, the pulmonary function is associated with balance control in the mediolateral direction but does not influence the postural changes or QOL.
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