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Comparison of Elderly Nonfallers and Fallers on Performance Measures of Functional Reach, Sensory Organization, and Limits of Stability

^a Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Harvey W. Wallmann, DPTSc, PT, SCS, ATC, CSCS, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Sciences, 4505 Maryland Parkway, Box 453029, Las Vegas, NV 89154-3029 E-mail: hwallmann{at}ccmail.nevada.edu.

Decision Editor: John E. Morley, MB, BCh

Background. Previous literature indicates that balance impairment is a primary risk factor in the occurrence of falls, which has led clinicians to develop gross standardized balance assessment tests to distinguish elderly nonfallers from fallers. The purpose of this study was to compare functional reach (FR), limits of stability (LOS), and sensory organization among elderly nonfallers and fallers.

Methods. FR was examined in 15 elderly nonfallers and 10 idiopathic fallers who were at least 60 years of age. Forceplate measures from the NeuroCom Smart Balance Master system, which included the LOS test and the sensory organization test (SOT), were used to quantify limits of stability and balance. Associations among the three tests were examined.

Results. There was no significant difference in mean FR distance between elderly nonfallers and fallers using the functional reach test. 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 nonfallers and fallers as well as a significant positive correlation between the SOT composite score and anterior displacement on the LOS test for fallers.

Conclusions. The results suggest that FR measures do not differentiate nonfallers from fallers. In contrast, this study demonstrates that using the SOT protocol could differentiate elderly nonfallers from fallers for balance impairment. Caution should be used when interpreting information from the FR test in determining a balance-impaired population.

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