SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Balance ability”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2006

A new clinical test of dynamic standing balance in the frontal plane: the side-step test.

OBJECTIVE: To confirm retest reliability for the side-step test and to investigate the validity of the side-step test by correlating performance on this test with that on other commonly used measures of balance and mobility. SETTING: Katta Public Hospital, Miyagi, Japan. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. Intraclass correlation coefficient was examined by calculating the intra-rater reliability of the side-step test. Moreover, the validity of the test was examined by correlating maximum side-step length with gait parameters. SUBJECTS: This study recruited 28 hemiplegic subjects (17 with left-sided hemiplegia and 11 with right-sided hemiplegia). MEASURES: We measured balance ability and walking ability as follows: dynamic balance ability was assessed from maximum side-step length from the side-step test, static balance ability from one-footed standing duration, and walking ability from maximum walking speed, stride length and cadence. Balance ability was measured on both the affected and unaffected side. Maximum side-step length was standardized in terms of lower extremity length. RESULTS: Intraclass correlation coefficient of maximum side-step length was 0.97 bilaterally. There was a high linear correlation between maximum side-step length and both maximum walking speed and stride length; Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient ranged from 0.84 to 0.89. One-footed standing duration was significantly correlated with maximum side-step length, maximum walking speed and stride length, and these relationships were non-linear. CONCLUSION: The reliability and validity of the side-step test was confirmed.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Balance training for persons with functionally unstable ankles.

STUDY DESIGN: A nonrandomized 2-group pretest-posttest design. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of a 4-week balance training program during stance on a single leg. BACKGROUND: Individuals who have experienced multiple episodes of inversion ankle sprains often participate in balance training programs. Balance training is performed to treat existing proprioceptive deficits and to restore ankle joint stability, presumably by retraining altered afferent neuromuscular pathways. The effectiveness of such programs on individuals with functionally unstable ankles has yet to be established. METHODS AND MEASURES: Prior to and following training, subjects with self-reported functionally unstable ankles (5 women and 8 men, mean age = 21.9 +/- 3.1 years) and nonimpaired subjects (6 women and 7 men, mean age = 21.2 +/- 2.5 years) completed a static balance assessment for both limbs as well as the ankle joint functional assessment tool questionnaire (AJFAT). The subjects from both groups participated in a unilateral, multilevel, static and dynamic balance training program 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Subjects from the experimental group trained only the involved limb, and the nonimpaired group trained a randomly selected limb. A stability index (SI) was calculated during the balance assessment to indicate the amount of platform motion. Compared to low stability indices, high stability indices indicate greater platform motion during stance and therefore less stability. RESULTS: Following training, subjects from both groups demonstrated significant improvements in balance ability. When balance was assessed at a low resistance to platform tilt (stability level 2), the posttraining scores of both the subjects with unstable ankles (mean SI = 2.63 +/- 1.92) and the nonimpaired subjects (mean SI = 2.69 +/- 2.32) were significantly better than their pretraining scores (mean SIs = 5.93 +/- 3.65 and 4.67 +/- 3.43, respectively). Assessed at a high resistance to platform tilt (stability level 6), the posttraining scores of both subjects with unstable ankles (mean SI = 1.27 +/- 0.66) and the nonimpaired subjects (mean SI = 1.37 +/- 0.66) were significantly better than their pretraining scores (mean SIs = 2.30 +/- 1.88 and 2.04 +/- 1.43, respectively). Additionally, the posttraining AJFAT scores of subjects with unstable ankles (25.78 +/- 3.80) and the nonimpaired subjects (29.15 +/- 5.27) were significantly greater than their pretraining scores (17.11 +/- 3.44 and 22.92 +/- 5.22, respectively), indicating an overall improvement in perceived ankle joint functional stability. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that balance training is an effective means of improving joint proprioception and single-leg standing ability in subjects with unstable and nonimpaired ankles.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

People with stroke living in the community: Attention deficits, balance, ADL ability and falls.

PURPOSE: To describe levels of attention deficits among people with stroke living in the community and explore relationships between attention, balance, function and falls. METHOD: Forty-eight mobile community-dwelling people with stroke (30 men, 18 women, mean age 68.4 +/- 11.2) were recruited to this cross-sectional investigation through General Practitioners. Twenty-six participants had a right, 21 a left hemisphere infarction and one had a brain stem lesion; mean time since stroke was 46 months (range five to 204). Participants' were interviewed about fall-events; attention, balance and function were assessed using standardised tests. RESULTS: Visual inattention was identified in five participants (10%), deficits of sustained attention in 15 (31%), auditory selective attention in nine (19%), visual selective attention in 17 (35%) and divided attention deficits in 21 participants (43%). Sustained and divided attention scores correlated with balance, ADL ability and fall-status (p < 0.01). The balance and function of subjects with normal attention were better than those with abnormal scores (p < 0.01). Analysis of variance revealed differences between repeat-fallers and non-fallers with no near-falls for divided attention, balance and ADL ability (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Attention deficits were common among this sample; sustained and divided attention deficits correlated with functional impairments and falls, highlighting that attention deficits might contribute to accident prone behaviour and falling.

Accidental Falls↗

PubMed2005

Locomotor training and virtual reality-based balance training for an individual with multiple sclerosis: a case report.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Impaired walking ability, balance, and fatigue are common problems for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The purpose of this case report is to describe the use of plan of care that included locomotor training using both a body weight support (BWS) with a treadmill (TM) and overground walking as well as a virtual reality (VR)-based balance intervention to improve walking ability, balance, and endurance for an individual with MS. CASE DESCRIPTION: The client was a 48-year-old female with a 10-year history of MS. Her main goals were to improve walking ability, balance, and endurance. She presented with impaired gait, balance, motor function, and increased fatigue. Locomotor training using a BWS/TM system and overground and VR-based balance interventions were implemented 2 days a week for 12 weeks. OUTCOMES: The client demonstrated improvements in gait speed, gait endurance, and balance postintervention and maintained the improvements at a 2-month follow up. DISCUSSION: This case report is the first to report on the use of locomotor training with BWS/TM system and overground and VR-based balance interventions for a client with MS. The plan of care was formulated based on the patient's goals and the available literature on the use of the interventions with other patients with neurologic conditions to provide an intervention that was task-oriented, skilled, and intensive.

Female↗

PubMed2006

Relationship between static and dynamic balance tests among elite Australian Footballers.

Research assessing the direct relationship between static and dynamic balance ability of athletes is sparse. The aim of this project was to determine the relationship between a static balance task on a firm surface with a stepping balance task on an unstable surface. Thirty-seven Australian male professional footballers participated in the study. The static test involved maintaining single limb stance on a force platform. The other balance test involved stepping on to a balance mat on top of the force platform and maintaining single limb stance. The centre of pressure was monitored and the maximum excursion in the medial-lateral direction was recorded and used as the balance value. It was found that the magnitude of the maximum centre of pressure excursion was significantly greater (53%) for the stepping balance task. There were significant but low correlations for the centre of pressure excursion values between the two balance tests for the right limb and average of both limbs. There was no significant correlation between the test values for the left limb. Only a small proportion of the variance could be explained by each test: 16% for right limb values, 7% for left limb values and 11% for the average of both limbs. Given the overall weak associations between the two balance test values, it was concluded that performance in the static balance test was not reflective of performance in the dynamic balance test. Attempting to infer dynamic balance ability based on static balance ability should be avoided.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Balance, muscle strength, and fear of falling in older adults.

This study examined balance ability, lower-extremity muscle strength, fear of falling and their inter-relationships in 40 community-dwelling older adults (>65 years). Subjects who self-identified either as being fearful of falling or not (no concern) were screened to exclude those with known risk factors for falling. Limits of stability, maximal isometric strength, gait speed, and fear of falling were contrasted between groups (27 control subjects, 13 fearful subjects). Those fearful of falling demonstrated smaller center of pressure (COP) excursions in anterior, left, and right directions (p<.0001) and used a smaller percentage of their base of support during maximal weight shifting in combined anterior-posterior and right-left directions (p<.001) compared to the control group. Strength did not differ between groups, but was associated with the ability to shift the COP in the anterior-posterior direction (p<.05). Fear of falling also related to weight shifting ability (p<.017). Seniors fearful of falling demonstrated limitations in balance ability and balance confidence that could not be explained by muscle weakness.

Aged↗

PubMed1981

Effect of an exercise program on the static balance of deaf children.

Deaf children show subnormal performance on standard tests of static balance. This study investigated the effect of a 10-day exercise program of static balance activities on the static balance ability of severely deaf children. A pretest-posttest control group design was used. The subjects, 49 deaf children, were tested on a force platform in four different stances. The experimental group then participated in a daily exercise program of activities traditionally used to facilitate balance ability. A comparison of the change in steadiness scores between the control and experimental groups revealed no significant difference in static balance ability as measured by degree of sway. However, the length of time that children in the experimental group could stand on one leg increased significantly. The lack of improvement in the amount of sway after use of this widely accepted therapeutic program serves to highlight the need for further investigation of the effect of any exercise program on static balance ability.

Child↗

PubMed1994

Motor symptoms similar to parkinsonism in heavy smokers.

The major objective in this study was a comparison of the motor performance of young male smokers and non-smokers. We tested the endurance capacity, maximal isometric strength, speed of whole-body movements, flexibility and balancing ability of 74 smokers and 118 non-smokers. Then we measured the balancing ability, the visual reaction time and the speed of limb movements of non-smokers and heavy smokers depending on the time of abstinence from smoking. The balancing ability of heavy smokers deteriorates in comparison with non-smokers after an abstinence period of 11-120 min by 42% (p < 0.05), and after more than 120 min by 51% (p < 0.01). Heavy smokers had a longer reaction time both after 2 hours of abstinence and after smoking. The speed of limb movements is decreased after not smoking for a brief period compared to non-smokers and clearly improved immediately after smoking. This deterioration of motor performance of heavy smokers after a short period of abstinence appears similar to the motor symptoms of Parkinsonism and is "treated" by cigarette smoking.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Balance screening of an inner city older adult population.

OBJECTIVE: Until recently, studies of balance abilities were conducted on nursing home residents or volunteers in a clinical laboratory setting. Little is known about balance abilities of older adults living independently in large urban cities or who represent different ethnic backgrounds. The purpose of this study was to describe balance abilities in these individuals. SUBJECTS: Older adults (n = 251) ranging in age from 60 to 95 years of age (X = 74.3, SD = 7.7) participated. The majority of individuals (85.7%) were African-American or Hispanic. PROCEDURE: The elders were screened for past and current medical conditions, activity level, and confidence in performing interactions with the environment (instrumental activities of daily living), and were administered the Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go, and Reach in Four Directions Test. RESULTS: The mode on the Berg Balance Scale was 53 (maximum 56). Mean on the Timed Up and Go was 15 seconds, and Reach in Four Directions Test was: forward, 8.9 in; backward, 4.6 in; right, 6.8 in; and left 6.6 in. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the frequency of performing activities and the comfort in performing activities without fear of falling significantly contributed to the scores on the balance tests. The results of this study can serve as norms for balance testing in urban-dwelling older adult populations from diverse backgrounds and may be useful for clinicians who are developing health promotion and fall prevention programs.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Risks of falls in subjects with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: To quantify fall risk among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and to report the importance of variables associated with falls. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study design with a 2-group sample of convenience. SETTING: A hospital and home settings in Italy. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 50 people with MS divided into 2 groups according to their reports of falls. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Subjects were assessed with questionnaires for cognitive ability and were measured on their ability to maintain balance, to walk, and to perform daily life activities. Data regarding patients' strength, spasticity, and transfer skills impairment were also collected. RESULTS: No statistical differences were found between groups of fallers and nonfallers using variables pertaining to years after onset, age, gender, and Mini-Mental State Examination. Near statistically significant differences were found in activities of daily living and transfer skills (P<.05). Three variables were associated with fall status: balance, ability to walk, and use of a cane (P<.01). Those variables were analyzed using a logistic regression. The model was able to predict fallers with a sensitivity of 90.9% and a specificity of 58.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Variables pertaining to balance skills, gait impairment, and use of a cane differed between fallers and nonfallers groups and the incidence of those variables can be used as a predictive model to quantify fall risk in patients suffering from MS. These findings emphasize the multifactorial nature of falls in this patient population. Assessment of different aspects of motor impairment and the accurate determination of factors contributing to falls are necessary for individual patient management and therapy and for the development of a prevention program for falls.

Accidental Falls↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A multi-purpose rehabilitation frame: a novel apparatus for balance training during standing of neurologically impaired individuals.

We present a novel mechanical apparatus, named Multi-purpose Rehabilitation Frame (MRF), and methods for balance training during standing of neurologically impaired individuals. The device has two degrees of freedom (DOF), which allow for constrained movement of both lower limbs and pelvis in the sagittal and frontal planes. The MRF aims at improving balancing in impaired individuals by providing a stiffness support and action of perturbations, which facilitate development of alternative balancing strategies. The level of stiffness support and strength of perturbations, which are generated by means of two hydraulic servo-controlled actuators, can be selected according to current balancing abilities of an impaired individual. We further present preliminary results of nine days of balance training in two paraplegic and two incomplete tetraplegic subjects standing in the MRF. All subjects improved their balancing abilities as measured from the level of needed supporting stiffness provided by the MRF.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Does a balance deficit persist in Australian Football players with previous lower limb ligament injury?

A history of lower limb ligament injury is a commonly-cited risk factor for another similar injury. During the acute phase of injury, there is a balancing skill deficit in the injured limb. It has been unclear as to whether this deficit persists in the medium-to-long term for previously injured Australian footballers, contributing to the risk of re-injury. This study compared the balance ability of footballers with and without previous lower limb ligament injury and, for previously injured players, the balance ability of the previously injured limb to the opposite uninjured limb. A total of 216 players from 6 teams from the Australian Football League were tested. The balance task comprised stepping on to a foam mat on top of a force plate and maintaining one-legged balance. The subjects were divided into 4 groups based on their injury history: all ankle injuries to only one limb, recent ankle injuries to only one limb (within the last 12 months), knee ligament injury only to one limb, and no previous ankle or knee ligament injury. Statistical analysis revealed that there was no significant difference between the balance scores of any of the previously injured players and those with no previous lower limb ligament injury. There was no significant difference between the balance score of the previously injured limb with the opposite uninjured limb. It appears that a balance deficit does not persist in Australian Football players with previous lower limb ligament injury.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Postural balance in a random sample of 7,979 subjects aged 30 years and over.

BACKGROUND: Reliable normative data for force platform measurements of postural balance have not been available. METHODS: Data on postural balance were collected from a representative nationwide sample of a Finnish population aged >or=30 years (n = 7,979). As part of a comprehensive health survey (Health 2000), postural balance was measured with the help of a force platform system in four test conditions: normal standing with eyes open and closed (both for 30 s), semi-tandem (20 s) and tandem stand with eyes open (20 s). In addition, balance abilities were also evaluated by a non-instrumented field test. RESULTS: The main findings of this study indicated that the differences in balance between subjects belonging to different age categories were apparent already among young and middle-aged subjects. This is true, however, only for the more accurate force platform measurements, as the field test showed a clear ceiling effect up to 60 years of age. At higher ages both methods indicated a further, accelerating decline in balance function. In most cases, males tended to have more pronounced sway, as indicated by the speed and amplitude aspects of the movement of the center of pressure during the force platform registrations and these differences were larger in the older age groups. In contrast, in the field test a larger proportion of males were able to achieve the highest category (10 s in tandem stand) and the proportion of subjects unable to stand for a minimum of 10 s feet side by side was larger among females than males. These observations may partly be due to differences in the participation/acceptable performance in the different tests. In addition, the field test and force platform measurements may partially reflect different aspects of balance abilities. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study provide normative values for force platform balance tests at an age of 30 years and above. Deterioration in balance function clearly starts at relatively young ages and further accelerates from at about 60 years upwards. Due to systematic differences between males and females, separate normative values for both sexes are needed. Due to marked ceiling effects the field test can only be recommended for older individuals, aged >/=60. On the other hand, force platform registrations in the more demanding tests (semi-tandem and tandem stands) suffer from floor effects in the oldest age groups.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Comparison of balance in older people with and without visual impairment.

OBJECTIVE: a cross-sectional study was used to compare the balance ability of older people with and without visual impairment. SETTING: Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Jockey Club Rehabilitation Complex and the Pok Oi Hospital Jockey Club care and attention homes for aged individuals. SUBJECTS: a total of 66 subjects, 65 years of age and older were divided into three groups based on their degree of visual impairment. METHODS: the directional Es chart was used to test the subjects ' visual acuity. Functional balance ability was measured using the Berg balance scale. Demographic characteristics and baseline variables such as lower extremity range of motion, muscle strength, and joint pain was assessed and compared between the groups. RESULTS: 66 older adults (43 women, 23 men) aged 69-94 years of age participated in the study. The one-way ANOVA showed that the mean Berg balance scores were significantly different (F(2,63) = 19.19, P < 0.001). Post hoc tests showed that the group with no visual impairment had higher mean balance scores than the group with mild visual impairment (P = 0.04) and those with moderate visual impairment (P < 0.001). The balance scores for the group with mild visual impairment were also shown to be significantly difference from those of the group with moderate visual impairment (P = 0.003). Control of factors related to balance, such as range of motion, pain and strength, did not affect the analysis of variance analyses. CONCLUSIONS: balance was shown to be more impaired with greater visual impairment, which could result in falls and resultant injury. The findings suggest that early intervention to improve visual acuity in older people may be important.

Accidental Falls↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Perception of unsteadiness in patients with dizziness: association with handicap and imbalance.

Dizziness is a common problem in patients seeking medical help and is often associated with imbalance and handicap. This study aimed to reveal whether the perception of unsteadiness could be an indication of greater imbalance and handicap in these patients. Patients with dizziness were categorized into two groups, steady patients (n = 15) and unsteady patients (n = 23), based on the presence or absence of self-perceived unsteadiness. The level of self-perceived handicap was evaluated by the Dizziness Handicap Inventory. Static balance ability was evaluated using a force platform and the center of pressure motion was calculated during various quiet standing conditions. Dynamic balance ability was evaluated by the functional forward reach test and Dynamic Gait Index. All the patients also went through isometric strength tests of the lower extremities. It was found that all patients reported themselves to be handicapped by dizziness. Patients who perceived themselves to be unsteady had greater handicap and poorer static standing, but did not differ from the steady patients in regard to muscle strength or functional balance tests. Thus, self- perceived unsteadiness was associated with greater handicap and poorer static balance in dizzy patients. In clinical management of these patients, special attention should be paid to balance and handicap.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Development of a clinical static and dynamic standing balance measurement tool appropriate for use in adolescents.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There is a need in sports medicine for a static and dynamic standing balance measure to quantify balance ability in adolescents. The purposes of this study were to determine the test-retest reliability of timed static (eyes open) and dynamic (eyes open and eyes closed) unipedal balance measurements and to examine factors associated with balance. SUBJECTS: Adolescents (n=123) were randomly selected from 10 Calgary high schools. METHODS: This study used a repeated-measures design. One rater measured unipedal standing balance, including timed eyes-closed static (ECS), eyes-open dynamic (EOD), and eyes-closed dynamic (ECD) balance at baseline and 1 week later. Dynamic balance was measured on a foam surface. Reliability was examined using both intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland and Altman statistical techniques. Multiple linear regressions were used to examine other potentially influencing factors. RESULTS: Based on ICCs, test-retest reliability was adequate for ECS, EOD, and ECD balance (ICC=.69, .59, and .46, respectively). The results of Bland and Altman methods, however, suggest that caution is required in interpreting reliability based on ICCs alone. Although both ECS balance and ECD balance appear to demonstrate adequate test-retest reliability by ICC, Bland and Altman methods of agreement demonstrate sufficient reliability for ECD balance only. Thirty percent of the subjects reached the 180-second maximum on EOD balance, suggesting that this test is not appropriate for use in this population. Balance ability (ECS and ECD) was better in adolescents with no past history of lower-extremity injury. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Timed ECD balance is an appropriate and reliable clinical measurement for use in adolescents and is influenced by previous injury.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2007

Comparison of standing balance between female collegiate dancers and soccer players.

STUDY DESIGN: This study was designed as a comparison study of two cohorts. OBJECTIVES: The hypothesis of this study was that soccer players and dancers have different balance abilities and that these differences could be objectively measured using center of pressure measurements. BACKGROUND: Center of pressure (COP) measurements are reproducible and have been validated in the literature for assessing standing balance. The literature does not provide sensitive enough techniques for discriminating between two groups of athletes with excellent standing balance. METHODS AND MEASURES: A Matscan pressure mat (Tekscan, Boston, MA) was used to compare COP change variability between 32 female collegiate soccer players and 32 dancers. COP was used to calculate sway index, center acquisition time, sway path length and sway velocity as measures of standing balance. RESULTS: The dancers had significantly better balance scores (p<0.05) in 5 of 20 balance tests. Results for the remaining 15 balance tests were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: These data show that standing balance characteristics of dancers and soccer players can be objectively measured using COP data. Dancers have certain standing balance abilities that are better than those of soccer players. The COP measurements in this study can be used as a tool in future studies investigating standing balance in different groups of athletes.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Measuring balance in the elderly: validation of an instrument.

This study assessed the validity of the Balance Scale by examining: how Scale scores related to clinical judgements and self-perceptions of balance, laboratory measures of postural sway and external criteria reflecting balancing ability; if scores could predict falls in the elderly; and how they related to motor and functional performance in stroke patients. Elderly residents (N = 113) were assessed for functional performance and balance regularly over a nine-month period. Occurrence of falls was monitored for a year. Acute stroke patients (N = 70) were periodically rated for functional independence, motor performance and balance for over three months. Thirty-one elderly subjects were assessed by clinical and laboratory indicators reflecting balancing ability. The Scale correlated moderately with caregiver ratings, self-ratings and laboratory measures of sway. Differences in mean Scale scores were consistent with the use of mobility aids by elderly residents and differentiated stroke patients by location of follow-up. Balance scores predicted the occurrence of multiple falls among elderly residents and were strongly correlated with functional and motor performance in stroke patients.

Accidental Falls↗