Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine (대한물리의학회지)

The Korean Society of Physical Medicine (대한물리의학회)
권호 표지

Availability of Functional Reach Test for Balance Evaluation of the Elderly Through Sensory Organization Test

감각 조직화 검사를 통한 노인의 균형평가를 위한 기능적 뻗기 검사의 유용성

  • 김용욱 (전주대학교 물리치료학과) ;
  • 최흥식 (한서대학교 물리치료학과) ;
  • 김태호 (대구보건대학 물리치료과)
  • Received : 2011.07.01
  • Accepted : 2011.08.23
  • Published : 2011.08.31
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Purpose : The purposes of this study were to investigate the age-related difference in balance ability in the elderly over 65 years and to verify the clinical usefulness of the functional reach test (FRT) for balance evaluation of the elderly through the sensory organization test (SOT). Methods : The subjects were forty-six community dwelling elderly people over 65 years old in order to verify the correlation of balance measures and to compare the balance ability. Balance was measured using the FRT and the six sub-equilibrium scores and the composite equilibrium score of the SOT. Pearson's product correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the relationships among these measurements of balance. Results : There was a significant difference in functional reach by age in the elderly (p<.01). There was a significant negative correlation between the FRT and the age of the elderly (r=-.396, p<.01). There was also significant high positive correlation between the FRT and the eye closed sway surface (EC/SS) (r=.789, p<.01), and composite equilibrium score (r=.548, p<.01) of the SOT. Conclusion : Thus, it is possible to use the FRT as a quantitative measure of balance, rather than the SOT, which is more expensive and complicated to evaluate elderly people. According to the results of this study, the use of the FRT is required clinically to objectively measure the balance of elderly people in the future.

Keywords

References

  1. Alexander NB. Postural control in older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1994;42(1):93-108.
  2. Bergland A, Wyller TB. Risk factors for serious fall related injury in elderly women living at home. Inj Prev. 2004;10(5):308-13. https://doi.org/10.1136/ip.2003.004721
  3. Bogle Thorbahn LD, Newton RA. Use of the Berg Balance test to predict falls in elderly persons. Phys Ther. 1996;76(6):576-85.
  4. Bogle Thorbahn LD, Newton RA. Use of the Berg Balance test to predict falls in elderly persons. Phys Ther. 1996;76(6):576-85.
  5. Brauer SG, Burns YR, Galley P. A prospective study of laboratory and clinical measures of postural stability to predict community-dwelling fallers. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2000;55(8):M469-76. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/55.8.M469
  6. Daubney ME, Culham EG. Lower-exteremity Muscle Force and Balace Performance in Adults Aged 65 Years and Older. Phys Ther. 1999;79(12):1177-85.
  7. Duncan PW, Weiner DK, Chandler J et al. Functional reach: a new clinical measure of balance. J Gerontol. 1990;45(6):M192-7. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronj/45.6.M192
  8. Endo M, Ashton-Miller JA, Alexander NB. Effect of age and gender on toe flexor muscle strength. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2002;57(6):M392-7. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/57.6.M392
  9. Gryfe CI, Amies A, Ashley MJ. A longitudinal study of falls in an elderly population: I. Incidence and morbidity. Age Ageing. 1977;6(4):201-10. https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/6.4.201
  10. Hageman PA, Leibowitz JM, Blanke D. Age and gender effects on postural control measures. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1995;76(10):961-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-9993(95)80075-1
  11. Hamann RG, Mekjavic I, Mallinson AI et al. Training effects during repeated therapy sessions of balance training using visual feedback. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1992;73(8):738-44.
  12. Kario K, Tobin JN, Wolfson LI et al. Lower standing systolic blood pressure as a predictor of falls in the elderly: a community-based prospective study. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2001;38(1):246-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0735-1097(01)01327-4
  13. Kim WH, Park EY. Correlation of Berg Balance Scale and Functional Reach Test. Physical Therapy Korea. 2007;14(4):28-34.
  14. Kim YW, Kwon OY, Cynn HS et al. Comparison of toe plantar flexors strength and balancing ability between elderly fallers and non-fallers. J Phys Ther Sci. 2011;23(1):127-32. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.23.127
  15. King MB, Judge JO, Wolfson L. Functional base of support decreases with age. J Gerontol. 1994;49(6):M258-63. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronj/49.6.M258
  16. Liston RA, Brouwer BJ. Reliability and validity of measures obtained from stroke patients using the balance master. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1996;77(5):425-30. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-9993(96)90028-3
  17. Mayers AH, Baker SP, Van Natta ML et al. Risk factors associated with falls and injuries among elderly institutional persons. Am J Epidemiol. 1991;133(11):1179-90.
  18. Menz HB, Morris ME, Lord SR. Foot and ankle risk factors for falls in older people: a prospective study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2006;61(8):866-70. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/61.8.866
  19. Nashner LM. Computerized dynamic posturography. In: Jacobson GP, Newman CW, Kartush JM, eds. Handbook of Balance Function Testing. St. Louis, Mosby-Year Book. 1993:208-307.
  20. Piirtola M, Era P. Force platform measurements as predictors of falls among older people - a review. Gerontol. 2006;52(1):1-16. https://doi.org/10.1159/000089820
  21. Shumway-Cook A, Woollacott MH. Aging and postural control. In: Shumway-cook A, Woollacott MH, eds. Motor control: Theory and practical applications. 2nd ed. Baltimore, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2001:224-226.
  22. Studenski S, Duncan P, Weiner D et al. The role of instability in falls among older persons. In: Duncan PW, editor. Balance. Proceedings of the APTA Forum. Alexandria: APTA Publications. 1990:43-55.
  23. Tang PF, Moore S, Woollacott MH. Corralation between two clinical balance measures in older adults: functional mobility and sensory organization test. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 1998;53(2):M140-6.
  24. Winter DA, Patla AE, Prince F et al. Stiffness control of balance in quiet standing. J Neurophysiol. 1998;80(3):1211-21.