PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Postural Balance”

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 883 records · Page 49Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Postural stability in primary open angle glaucoma.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the visual contribution to postural steadiness in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), in correlation with the mean deviation (MD) measured through conventional perimetry, and with the Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study (AGIS) score, which quantifies the extent of losses in the visual field. METHODS: In 35 POAG patients and 21 age-matched normal subjects, the sway of the centre of pressure of the feet, on a firm or foam support, was recorded. The subjects stood on a force-plate with eyes closed, or with one or two eyes open. RESULTS: For all subjects, the sway velocity was lower with vision than without vision, indicating the existence of a visual contribution to posture at all stages of glaucoma. This contribution was significantly lower for POAG patients than for normals in monocular and binocular vision, and decreased with the MD, or as the AGIS score increased. Among the maximum, minimum and average values of the two monocular MD, the MD of the worse eye presented the most significant negative correlation with the visual contribution to posture. The somatosensory contribution to postural steadiness was larger in POAG patients, as compared to normals, in monocular or binocular vision. CONCLUSION: Primary open angle glaucoma induces a deficit in the visual contribution to postural steadiness, which should be taken into account for the prevention of falls.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Relationship between newborn stepping and later walking: a new interpretation.

The relationship between newborn stepping and later walking was examined by means of new kinematic and electromyographic data. Stepping movements of a group of 18 normal infants were compared at one and two months of age, at one and two months before the first independent steps, and at the month when these first steps occurred. Stepping in the first month was characterized by tight synchronization of hip, knee and ankle movements, but as early as two months the ankle-joint began to move out of phase with the hip and knee. Before independent walking a more adult-like pattern continued to emerge, with the knee leading the hip in flexion. However, with the onset of walking, primitive characteristics of newborn stepping remained, including ankle hyperextension at the end of the step, hyperflexion of the hip and knee and excessive muscle activation. These results suggest that mature walking may evolve from the newborn stereotyped movement pattern. It is suggested that these gradual changes in the organization of the step are evoked by the dynamic functional demands of upright locomotion, in addition to balance, postural control and strength development in the first year of life.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Effects of seat-surface inclination on postural stability and function of the upper extremities of children with cerebral palsy.

This study investigated the effects of seat-surface inclination on parameters of postural stability and functional use of the upper extremity. 10 non-impaired children and 10 children with cerebral palsy, aged between four and 15 years, were studied. Seat-surface inclinations of 0 degree, 5 degrees anteriorly and 5 degrees posteriorly were used as the experimental conditions. Significant differences were observed on most dependent measures between the two groups. The results suggest that anteriorly tilting the seats of children with cerebral palsy may disturb postural stability, without improving performance of the upper extremity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Managing equinus in children with cerebral palsy: electrical stimulation to strengthen the triceps surae muscle.

A new therapeutic proposal for the management of equinus in children with cerebral palsy is to strengthen the calf muscles instead of weakening them surgically. Prior research indicates that in children with cerebral palsy the triceps surae muscle is weak and needs strengthening. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) was used as an adjunct to physical therapy. A portable NMES unit with a hand-held remote switch stimulated an active muscle gait cycle. Results are discussed for four children, who showed improved gait, balance, posture, active and passive ankle range of motion, and foot alignment. The toe walkers became plantigrade and the equinovalgus posture of the foot decreased. Spasticity did not increase.

Cerebral Palsy↗
PubMed1995

Development of the upright postural sway of children.

From 1988 to 1992, 1188 children (576 boys and 612 girls) three to 11 years old were studied using the Stasio-analyzer to clarify developmental change of upright postural sway. Developmental change in the contact surface area of the sole, the coefficient of variation for the contact surface area, total sway area, total sway path and position of the centre of gravity were analysed. The contact surface area increased markedly between the ages of three to five and of seven to nine years, and increased slightly between six and seven years. Age six to seven years is proposed as a turning point of plantar arch formation as regards change in the contact surface area of the sole. Upright postural sway decreased markedly between the ages of three to five years and then slowly after age six. Boys under ten years swayed more than girls. The centre of gravity of the foot in children standing upright shifted towards the toes with increasing age: its distance from the heel was about 36 per cent of the foot length at age three to five years and 42 per cent at 11 years.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in the elderly. Treatment by habituation exercises.

Exercise treatment has become generally accepted as therapy for some types of vertigo. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) has been very successfully treated by vestibular habituation training (VHT). This is an exercise treatment whereby the patient is repeatedly exposed to the maneuvers eliciting vertigo. Elderly patients treated by VHT also showed very satisfying results, albeit the therapeutic effect developed somewhat slower than in the younger patients. In the scope of the problem of "falling in the elderly," the therapeutic effect for BPPV is worth emphasizing.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Modeling recovery from stumbles: preliminary data on variable selection and classification efficacy.

OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose of this preliminary investigation was to determine the functional relationship between selected information processing time and response execution variables and measures of postural stability in elderly women. A secondary purpose was to explore the efficacy of a neuromotor model using selected variables to retrospectively identify subjects with a self-reported history of falling. DESIGN: Descriptive, retrospective, cohort. SETTING: General community. SUBJECTS: Convenience sample of 17 community-dwelling females with a mean age of 72.2 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postural stability variables included the amplitude and frequency of postural sway during static vision-aided no-vision conditions. Information processing and response execution variables were collected using a simple-choice reaction time paradigm for an isometric knee extension task. RESULTS: Postural stability and information processing variables were functionally independent. Based upon significant intergroup differences, simple and choice pre-motor reaction time and non-vision aided anterior posterior sway amplitude were selected for inclusion in a discriminant analysis. The resulting discriminant function was significant (P = 0.01), correctly categorizing all of the subjects with a self-reported history of falling and identifying six out of seven of the non-fallers. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results suggest that it is feasible to identify a predisposition to falling by detecting an inability to respond successfully to a postural disturbance.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed1995

Assessing risk for the onset of functional dependence among older adults: the role of physical performance.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 10% of nondisabled, community-dwelling adults aged 75 years and older lose independence in basic activities of daily living (ADLs) each year. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether simple tests of physical performance could identify older adults, independent in their basic ADLs, who were at increased risk for the onset of functional dependence. METHODS: Among a representative cohort of 1103 community-dwelling adults aged 72 years and older, we evaluated the 664 subjects who were cognitively intact and independent in their basic ADLs at the baseline interview. All cohort members had undergone a comprehensive assessment, including a battery of qualitative and timed performance tests. The main outcome event was the onset of functional dependence, defined as a new disability in one or more of the seven basic ADLs at the 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: Functional dependence developed in 53 (9%) of the 563 subjects who had complete data at the 1-year follow-up. Eight of the 12 qualitative tests and all six of the timed tests were significantly associated (P < .05) with the onset of functional dependence. Both qualitative and timed performance tests demarcated subjects into groups at low and high risk for functional dependence. Four timed tests--chair stands, rapid gait, 360 degrees turn, and bending over--showed a threshold phenomenon, where the rate of new dependence increased slowly with worsening performance until a critical point (or threshold) was reached, and the rate of dependence increased substantially. For timed chair stands, for example, the rates of functional dependence within quarters of worsening performance were 5.3%, 6.3%, 6.7%, and 16%. The risk of functional dependence was markedly elevated (30%-50%) for subjects who were unable to perform the timed tests. CONCLUSIONS: Several simple tests of physical performance were strongly associated with the onset of functional dependence. These results support the potential use of physical performance tests to develop a risk assessment strategy that could identify subgroups of older persons, independent in all ADLs, who are at increased risk for functional dependence.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1998

Thioridazine dose-related effects on biomechanical force platform measures of sway in young and old men.

OBJECTIVE: Thioridazine (TDZ) is associated with an increased risk of falls. The purpose of this study was to determine whether (1) thioridazine increases Biomechanics Force Platform (BFP) measures of sway in a dose-related manner, (2) there is a difference in sway between young and old men, (3) there is a correlation between sway and orthostatic changes in BP and HR. DESIGN: Seven younger (aged 20-42) and five older (aged 70-76) healthy male volunteers received, in a randomized order double-blind design, a single oral dose of 0, 25, and 50 mg of TDZ on three separate days at least 7 days apart and 75 mg on the fourth day of the study. Sway and blood pressure were measured for 24 hours. SETTING: A general clinical research center. MEASUREMENTS: Biomechanics force platform measures of postural sway were measured as the movement of the center of pressure. The elliptical area (EA) and average velocity (AV) were calculated with eyes open and eyes closed. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured for 5 minutes supine and 5 minutes standing. RESULTS: Thioridazine increases BFP sway in a dose-dependent manner. EA increased from 0.56 (SD = .51) cm2 for placebo to 0.88 (SD = 1.09) cm2 for 75 mg TDZ. AV increased from 1.07 (SD = .27) cm/sec, placebo, to 1.43 (SD = .55) cm/sec, 75 mg TDZ. Older men swayed more than younger men. Changes followed the expected time course for TDZ. EA and AV were associated with HR and BP, e.g., SBP versus ln(EA) and ln(AV) (r = -0.21 and r = -0.22, respectively; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Thioridazine increases validated measures of fall risk dose dependently in young and old men. This may explain the effects of neuroleptic drugs on fall risk in older people.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2005

Reliability and validity of a steadiness score.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the internal consistency and construct and predictive validity of three survey questions regarding steadiness in a sample of community-dwelling lower-income older adults. DESIGN: A 6-month prospective cohort study. SETTING: Community-based. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred fifty-seven older adults who completed a baseline and 6-month follow-up interviewer-administered survey. These older adults received care at a single, public health system and were judged by insurance status to be of low income. MEASUREMENTS: Self-report measures of steadiness while walking and transferring; difficulty in mobility, activities of daily living (ADLs), and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs); chronic illness; falls; hospitalization; and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: The three steadiness questions showed good internal consistency (0.88); construct validity in Pearson correlations with mobility (0.57), ADL (0.53), and IADL scores (0.41); and predictive validity. With regard to predictive validity, steadiness was predictive of falls, hospitalization, and decline in ADL and IADL function over a subsequent 6-month period. CONCLUSION: Steadiness questions are a potentially valuable addition to survey research and clinical screening to identify persons with current impairment status and falls and disability risk.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed1998

Stabilometry and one-leg hop test have high test-retest reliability.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability of repeated measurements and a possible learning or tiring process in single-limb stabilometry and one-leg hop test. An additional purpose was to study the correlation between different stabilometric variables. Seventy-five healthy subjects were examined twice with a median interval of 7 d, and with three consecutive measurements on each occasion. Single-limb stabilometry and one-leg hop test were found to have high reliability (ICC r = 0.68-0.83 and 0.96, respectively). The correlation between consecutive measurements was acceptable to high in stabilometry (r = 0.42-0.90, P = 0.002-P < 0.001) and high in the one-leg hop test (r = 0.91-0.97, P < 0.001). A learning process over time was observed. The correlation between the stabilometric variables was high (r = 0.73-0.95, P < 0.001).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Postural control--a comparison between patients with chronic anterior cruciate ligament insufficiency and healthy individuals.

Postural control in the sagittal plane was evaluated in 22 patients with chronic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency and the result was compared to that of a control group of 20 uninjured subjects. Measurement of the body sway was done on a fixed and sway-referenced force plate in both single-limb and two-limb stance, with the eyes open and closed, respectively. Further, an analysis of the postural reactions to perturbations backwards and forwards, respectively, was made in single-limb stance. The results demonstrated statistically significant deficits of the postural control in the patient group compared to the control group, but also within the patient group. There was a significantly higher body sway within the patient group when standing on a stable support surface on the injured limb than standing on the uninjured limb with the eyes open, but no difference with the eyes closed. When standing on a stable support surface, there was a significantly higher body sway in the patient group standing on the injured leg than in the control group, both with eyes open and closed. The patient group also showed a significantly impaired postural control compared to the control group when standing on the uninjured leg with the eyes closed. There was no difference between the groups in the two-limb stance. When standing on the sway-referenced support surface, the patient group had a significantly larger body sway than the control group when the eyes were open, but there was no significant difference between the groups with the eyes closed. The measurement of the postural corrective responses to perturbations backwards and forwards showed that the reaction time measured from the initiation of the force plate translation, and the amplitude of the body sway was significantly greater in the patient group than in the control group. We conclude that patients with a continuing chronic ACL insufficiency several years after injury have an impaired postural control in the antero-posterior direction in single-limb stance on their injured leg. They also show a greater body sway and a prolonged reaction time when subjected to antero-posterior perturbations when standing on their injured leg.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Intrinsic risk factors for inversion ankle sprains in females--a prospective study.

Ankle sprains are extremely common. However, very little is known about the variables that predispose individuals to these injuries. The purpose of this study was to examine prospectively intrinsic risk factors for inversion sprains in a young physically active female population. One hundred and fifty-nine female physical education students were evaluated for several possible intrinsic risk factors for inversion sprains at the beginning of their academic study. The evaluated intrinsic risk factors included anthropometrical and physical characteristics, ankle joint position sense, isokinetic ankle muscle strength, lower leg alignment characteristics, postural control and muscle reaction time during a sudden inversion perturbation. All sports injuries were registered during 1-3 years and exposure to sport was recorded (mean: 15.33+/-4.33 h a week). Thirty-two (20%) of the 159 females sprained their ankle. The number of ankle sprains per 1000 h of sports exposure was 0.75. The Cox regression analysis revealed that females with less accurate passive joint inversion position sense [hazard ratio (HR): 1.08, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-1.14 for absolute error at 15 degrees inversion], a higher extension range of motion at the first metatarsophalangeal joint (HR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.00-1.06) and less coordination of postural control (HR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93-1.00 for endpoint excursion; HR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.89-0.99 for maximal endpoint excursion) are at greater risk of an ankle sprain. The findings of this study suggest that effective prevention and conservative rehabilitation of ankle inversion sprains should include attention to these variables.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Fast voluntary trunk flexion movements in standing: primary movements and associated postural adjustments.

Movement patterns were studied during fast voluntary forward flexions of the trunk from an erect standing position. Three healthy subjects performed three series of six consecutive trunk flexions at maximum velocity and with successively increasing amplitude, covering a major part of the range of motion (range for all subjects: 13-97 degrees). Angular displacements of the trunk, hip, knee and ankle were measured together with the tilt of the pelvis and the flexion of the spine using a Selspot optoelectronic system. Trunk flexion was the result of a simultaneous forward pelvic tilt and flexion of the spine. For trunk movements up to 55 degrees, spine flexion dominated the movement, whereas for larger movements a major part of the amplitude was caused by pelvic tilt. During flexion of the trunk a simultaneous hip flexion and ankle extension was seen. At the knee there was an initial flexion and a subsequent extension. The net amplitude of the knee flexion showed a negative correlation with net trunk flexion amplitude for movements up to 50 degrees, whereas for larger amplitudes the correlation was positive. Time from onset of the trunk movement to peak knee flexion showed a weak correlation to net trunk flexion amplitude (r = 0.34) whereas the corresponding correlation was higher for pelvic tilt, spine flexion, hip flexion, ankle extension, and knee extension (r = 0.60-0.91). Each successive trial during a series of trunk movements was started from an increasing degree of knee flexion. This gradual adaptation was also present when successive trunk flexions were performed with constant movement amplitude.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adaptation, Physiological↗