Original Research Article
Year: 2018 | Month: March | Volume: 8 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 149-160
Assessment of Components of Functional Balance in Individuals Suffering From Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and to Compare It with Age and Gender Matched Individuals
Mistry Hetal1, Gala Sejal2
1Assistant Professor at Physiotherapy School and Centre, Topiwala National Medical College, Mumbai, India.
2 Spine Consultant at Qi Lifecare Private Limited, Mumbai, India
Corresponding Author: Gala Sejal
ABSTRACT
Evidence suggests that balance deficits are an important secondary impairment in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Not much is known with respect to the disordered sub-components underlying the control of balance. We aimed to determine the specific components of balance that are impaired in COPD as compared to healthy age and gender matched individuals.
Methods: The postural balance was assessed in35 subjects with COPD and 35 age and gender matched healthy control subjects using the Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest).
Results: Subjects with COPD showed significantly lower scores than did control subjects on all the BESTest subscales (p = 0.01). All the sub-components of balance which are Biomechanical Constraint Score Percent (p = 0.044); Stability Limits Score Percent (p = 0.045); Anticipatory Control Score Percent (p=0.045); Reactive Postural Control Score Percent (p = 0.040); Sensory Orientation Score Percent (p = 0.04) and Gait Score Percent (p = 0.045) were statistically reduced in COPD patients as compared to the control group. On comparing the score percent within the group, it was found that the sensory orientation score was affected more compared to other components of the BESTest in both the groups.
Conclusion: This suggested that functional balance assessment and treatment should be included in the treatment plan of the COPD patients. The treatment of functional balance should concentrate more on the sensory orientation component as compared to the other components. Thus, helping the patients to improve their functional balance and hence their quality of life.
Key words: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Balance evaluation systems test (BESTest), Postural balance.