Comparison of Elderly Non-Fallers and Fallers on Performance Measures of Functional Reach, Sensory Organizations, and Limits of Stability

<p><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> The purpose of this study was to compare elderly non-fallers and fallers for differences in the following: (1) mean functional reach (FR), (2) mean anterior limits of stability (LOS), (3) mean posterior LOS, and (4) mean sensory organization test (SOT) composite score. The following correlations were tested for significance separately in the sample of non-fallers and the sample of fallers: (1) FR and anterior LOS, (2) FR and posterior LOS, (3) FR and SOT composite score, (4) anterior LOS and the SOT composite score, and (5) posterior LOS and the SOT composite score.</p> <p><strong>DESIGN:</strong> Two group comparison design.</p> <p><strong>SETTING:</strong> A university physical therapy research laboratory.</p> <p><strong>PARTICIPANTS:</strong> The 25 participants recruited for this study included 15 elderly non-fallers and 10 idiopathic fallers.</p> <p><strong>MEASUREMENTS</strong>: Outcome measures included FR and forceplate measures from the LOS test and the SOT. The forceplate measures, obtained using the NeuroCom Smart® Balance Master system, included maximum end point excursion for anterior, posterior, right, and left movements for the LOS test and a composite score for the SOT. The composite score consisted of sway area using six different sensory conditions with eyes open and closed.</p> <p><strong>RESULTS:</strong>There was no significant difference in mean FR distance between elderly non-fallers and fallers. FR distance did not correlate with anterior displacement on the LOS test. There was a significant difference in mean composite score on the SOT between non-fallers and fallers as well as a significant positive correlation between the composite score and anterior displacement on the LOS test for fallers. Age showed a significant negative correlation with the composite score for both non-fallers and fallers.</p> <p><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> The results suggested that FR measures do not appear to differentiate non-fallers from fallers, as they both attained nearly the same mean FR distance. In contrast, this study demonstrated that using the SOT protocol can differentiate non-fallers from fallers for balance impairment. Caution should be used when interpreting information from the FR test in determining a balance-impaired population.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physical Therapy Sciences

Year

2000

Author dc:creator

• Wallmann, Harvey W.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Everett B. Lohman III
• Mark A. Hoffman
• W. William Hughes
• Grenith J. Zimmerman

• Physical Therapy
• Equilibrium -- in old age; Accidental Falls -- in old age; Risk Factors -- in old age; Posture; Frail Elderly.

Statement dc:rights

• This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/980

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsrepository.llu.edu:etd-2064