Standing balance and strength measurements in older adults living in residential care communities

Abstract

Research on balance and mobility in older adults has been conducted primarily in lab-based settings in individuals who live in the community. Although they are at greater risk of falls, residents of long-term care facilities, specifically residential care communities (RCCs), have been investigated much less frequently. We sought to determine the feasibility of using portable technology-based measures of balance and muscle strength (i.e. an accelerometer and a load cell) that can be used in any RCC facility. Twenty-nine subjects (age 87±6 years) living in RCCs participated. An accelerometer placed on the back of the subjects measured body sway during different standing conditions. Sway in antero-posterior and medio-lateral directions were calculated. Lower extremity strength was measured with a portable load cell and the within-visit reliability was determined. Assessments of grip strength, gait speed, frailty, and comorbidity were also examined. A significant increase in postural sway in both the AP and ML directions occurred as the balance conditions became more difficult due to alteration of sensory feedback (p < 0.001) or reducing the base of support (p < 0.001). There was an association between increased sway and increased frailty, more comorbidities and slower gait speed. All strength measurements were highly reliable (ICC = 0.93 to 0.99).An increase in lower extremity strength was associated with increased grip strength and gait speed. The portable instruments provide inexpensive ways for measuring balance and strength in the understudied RCC population, but additional studies are needed to examine their relationship with functional outcomes.

Functional imaging of cognition in an old-old population: A case for portable functional near-infrared spectroscopy

“…Nineteen participants (13 F, 88.1 ± 6.0 years) were enrolled in this research study. All subjects were recruited using a convenience sample of older adults living in three RCC facilities, who were already enrolled in a research study investigating the mobility and gait function of residents in RCC settings [19]. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Pittsburgh.…”

Psychometric properties of instrumented postural sway measures recorded in community settings in independent living older adults

“…Recent advances have provided an alternative quantitative method to assess balance that is inexpensive and portable by using body-worn accelerometers. Accelerometers are used to quantify postural sway during standing, and have been shown to have the ability to discriminate between test conditions that require different levels of postural control, between fallers and non-fallers, and young versus older adults [7][8][9]. Assessing balance by using accelerometers has been applied to different populations including people with Parkinson disease [10], stroke, children, and with community-dwelling older adults [11,12].…”

Psychometric Properties of Instrumented Postural Sway Measures Recorded in Community Settings in Independent Living Older Adults

“…Accelerometers are used to quantify postural sway during standing, and have been shown to have the ability to discriminate between test conditions that require different levels of postural control, between fallers and non-fallers, and young versus older adults [7][8][9]. Assessing balance by using accelerometers has been applied to different populations including people with Parkinson disease [10], stroke, children, and with community-dwelling older adults [11,12].…”