Key result
Falls syndrome is linked to decreased postural control and ~15% slower tandem walking in elderly women.
Why the study?
The study was conducted to evaluate the contribution of the central and autonomic nervous systems to the maintenance of postural balance in the elderly.
Are there differences in central and autonomic nervous system regulation and postural balance between elderly women with and without falls syndrome?
Cross-Sectional (n=120)
Are there differences in central and autonomic nervous system regulation and postural balance between elderly women with and without falls syndrome?
Absolute Event Rate: 27.3% vs 32.2%
p-value: p=0.008
Elderly women with falls syndrome exhibit decreased postural control and altered EEG patterns, but no significant differences in autonomic nervous system regulation compared to non-fallers.
Postural deficits may warrant gait assessment in elderly women with falls; case-control data leave open EEG-autonomic contributions and need prospective confirmation.
Objective — The goal of our study was to evaluate the contribution of the central and autonomic nervous systems to the maintenance of postural balance in the elderly. Material and Methods ― This study included 120 healthy women 60-74 YO living in the community. They were distributed among two subgroups: (1) fallers (n=60) and (2) non-fallers (n=60). Fallers had falls in the past 12 months, while non-fallers had none. Walk tests were performed using Balance Master® posturography machine (NeuroCom, Natus, USA). The state of the central nervous system was assessed by Geodesic 300 EEG system (GSN; Electrical Geodesics, Inc.; Eugene, OR, USA). The state of the autonomic nervous system was assessed by the VNS-Spectrum (Neurosoft, Russia) via cardiointervalography. Results ― In Sit to Stand test, the postural sway velocity was higher (p=0.047) and the walking speed (p=0.008) in Tandem Walk test was lower in fallers, compared with non-fallers. The results of the Step Quick Turn test showed that the movement times of the left and right legs were longer for the fallers vs. non-fallers (p=0.044 and p=0.036, respectively), and postural sway values during turning left or right were higher in fallers as well (p=0.001 and p=0.003, correspondingly). At the same time, Step Up and Over test revealed that lift-up index values were higher in fallers vs. non-fallers (p=0.016). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in the state of the autonomic nervous system. The absolute spectral power of the EEG was lower in the frontal region of the right hemisphere in the alpha and beta EEG bands in the study group, compared with the control. Conclusion ― A deterioration in the quality of performing complex motor actions and a decrease in postural control in elderly women with falls syndrome were which may have caused their postural instability. Our results confirmed the need for early assessment of the dynamic components of postural control to prevent the development of falls as a geriatric syndrome.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Shiryaeva et al. (2022) conducted a cross-sectional in Falls syndrome (n=120). History of falls (Falls syndrome) vs. No history of falls was evaluated on Walking speed in Tandem Walk test (cm/s) (p=0.008). Elderly women with falls syndrome demonstrated decreased postural control and slower walking speeds, including a reduced Tandem Walk speed compared to non-fallers (27.3 vs 32.2 cm/s, p=0.008).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: