This study aimed to expand upon current literature on balance impairment in PwCOPD by describing and comparing balance, postural control characteristics, and the risk of falling during the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale (FABS) between PwCOPDwBPD and healthy older adults (HOA).
Fifty-three PwCOPDwBPD and 53 HOA performed all ten FABS items. The FABS assessed a higher level of balance by including tasks that challenged multiple postural control strategies, such as turning in place, single leg stance, and tasks with altered visual and vestibular cues for maintaining balance. Each FABS item was scored on a 5-point scale from 0 to 4. The 10-item FABS (T-FABS) and the 4-item short-form FABS (SF-FABS) scores were compared between the two groups. To identify the association between the risk of falling and the subject group, each participant was categorized into participants with and without a risk of falling using the T-FABS and SF-FABS scores of less than 26 and 11, respectively, to indicate the risk of falling. Likewise, to explore the association between the subject groups and the successful performance of each FABS item, each participant was classified into participants with impaired or successful performance, with a score of four indicating successful performance. The associations were evaluated using the Chi-square test.
The T-FABS and the SF-FAB scores were significantly lower (P0.001) in the PwCOPDwBPD group (18.32±1.14 and 6.32±3.54, respectively) than the HOA group (26.75±1.39 and 10.62±4.20, respectively). The proportion of participants with the risk of falling was significantly greater (P=0.005) in the PwCOPDwBPD group (73.58% and 77.35%, respectively) than in the HOA group (47.20% and 50,94%, respectively) when using the T-FABS and SF-FABS scores, respectively. When individual FABS items were analyzed, only thirteen PwCOPDwBPD (24.53%) successfully performed item one of FABS (standing with feet together and eyes closed), and none of them successfully performed the other nine FABS items. As a result, the proportions of participants with successful performance on individual FABS items were significantly lower (P0.05) in the PwCOPDwBPD group (0-24.53%) than in the HOA group (16.98-43.4%).
Based on the T-FABS and SF-FABS scores, PwCOPDwBPD demonstrated a significantly poorer balance than HOA. Based on the individual FABS items, PwCOPDwBPD demonstrated impairment of multiple postural control strategies required to maintain balance during standing and gait.
Balance and postural control strategies must be assessed in PwCOPDwBPD. Both T-FABS and SF-FAB can be successfully used to identify balance impairment and postural control deficits in PwCOPDwBPD. This information can then identify patient-specific interventions to improve the overall balance in PwCOPDwBPD.
Balance
Postural control strategies
