Spinal Posture in the Sagittal Plane Is Associated With Future Dependence in Activities of Daily Living: A Community-Based Cohort Study of Older Adults in Japan

Abstract

This study indicates that spinal inclination is associated with future dependence in ADL among older adults.

Construct validity of posture as a measure of physical function in elderly individuals: Use of a digitalized inclinometer to assess trunk inclination

“…In their study, Kamitani et al . used a computer‐assisted device for measuring spinal shape, named the Spinal Mouse, and found that spinal inclination in elderly people, but not thoracic curvature, lumber curvature and sacral‐hip angle, was associated with future dependence for ADL …”

“…Trunk inclination was able to be measured with a computer‐assisted device; for example, Spinal Mouse and so on. It was shown that spinal inclination measured with a Spinal Mouse was associated with future dependence of ADL . However, to show the result, we needed to analyze the data with a personal computer and software.…”

“…The reference value would help therapists assess the measurement value in clinical practice. Although the importance of thoracic inclination was reported, the reference value had never been shown in previous studies with inclinometers . In the present study, in both men and women, the sternum inclination angles and sternum inclination indexes increased as the study population aged; and the reference value for sternum inclination in elderly people was shown according to age group.…”

Relationship Between Depressive Symptoms and Activity of Daily Living Dependence in Older Japanese: The Kurabuchi Study

“…Therefore, we created a composite outcome (dependence in ADLs) using these components. We used this composite outcome in our previous studies . We defined dependence in ADLs as admission to a nursing home (institutionalization) or need of for assistance at home during the follow‐up period, with the latter defined as being deemed eligible for LTC, or confirmed need of for help in any of the six Katz ADL items…”

“…Knee joint pain in the previous year was classified into four categories (never, sometimes, often, constant) . All of the above factors have been found and reported to be related to outcomes in the Kurabuchi Study . We previously found that self‐reported hearing loss is associated with future ADL decline, so we treated this impairment as a potential confounder .…”