Tag: Joanna Czesak

Body mass index, postural stability and the risk for falls in women over 60

Paulina Handzlik, Katarzyna Karkoszka, Joanna Czesak

P. Handzlik, K. Karkoszka, J. Czesak – Body mass index, postural stability and the risk for falls in women over 60. Fizjoterapia Polska 2020; 20(3); 76-83

Abstract
Objective of the study. The aim of the study was to assess postural stability and the risk for falls in women over 60, as well as to evaluate the correlation between body mass index, postural stability and the risk for falls.
Material and methods. The research was conducted on a group of 74 women aged 60 to 85 who participated in a rehabilitation stay at a sanatorium. The subjects were divided into classes based on the value of the BMI. Specialistic balance assessment tests were used to evaluate balance. Postural stability and the risk for falls were determined using the Functional Reach Test (FRT) and the Romberg’s test. A stabilometric platform was applied to assess balance using the analysis of COP parameters, while the FRT test was used to evaluate the ability to maintain balance while leaning out and to assess the risk for falls.
Results. The analysis of the results of Functional Reach Test showed no significant effect of body mass index on balance. The analysis of the results of the Romberg’s test revealed statistically significant influence of the body mass index on some parameters.
Conclusions. Body mass index did not have a significant impact on the results of the FRT test. The analysis of the outcomes showed that overweight and obese people have a greater problem with maintaining balance in the presence of a disturbing factor. For those over the age of 60, this may be an additional factor increasing the risk for falls.
Key words:
postural stability, risk for falls, women, BMI
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Assessment of potential risk factors for falls in osteoporotic elderly versus individual mobility considerations

Marek Żak, Szymon Krupnik, Wojciech Kiebzak, Agnieszka Stopa, Joanna Czesak

M. Żak, S. Krupnik, W. Kiebzak, A. Stopa, J. Czesak – Assessment of potential risk factors for falls in osteoporotic elderly versus individual mobility considerations. FP 2014; 14(1); 36-40

Abstract

Background. Incidental falls are anxiously perceived by an increasing number of elderly persons as a clear symptom of ageing, potentially leading to permanent care-dependency.
Methods. The study population comprised 72 patients recruited from respective university clinic geriatric wards (aged 81- 95). A Timed UP & GO test (TUG) was applied (in line with Tinetti POMA protocol), to assess an individual risk of fall. Group I comprised the patients (48 women; x=84 years) who scored 14 seconds or more; Group II – the patients who scored 13.5 seconds or less (24 women; x=82 years).
Results.  When completing Tinetti (POMA) test, Group I women (TUG test scores of 14 seconds and more) ultimately scored below 19 points, i.e. their risk of fall was assessed as 5-fold greater than in their Group II peers (TUG test scores of 13.5 seconds and less).
Consequently, statistical significance of the correlation coefficients between the TUG and Tinetti (POMA) test scores was established as p < 0.05. In Group I (TUG > 14 s) this correlation coefficient was negative and equaled r = -0.74, whereas in Group II (TUG < 13.5 s) it was (r = -0.62).
Conclusions. The TUG test makes up an effective diagnostic instrument for assessing a potential risk of fall (i.e. identify potential fallers) and may therefore be applied as an effective screening test for this group of patients. Community dwellers of higher functional capabilities, despite the risks related to osteoporosis, are far less likely to sustain an accidental fall.

Key words:
geriatrics, falls, osteoporosis, functional capabilities, Timed UP & GO test

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