Advisor Information
Jenna Yentes
Location
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
3-3-2017 2:15 PM
End Date
3-3-2017 3:30 PM
Abstract
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience a higher incidence of falls. Further, gait variability has been shown to be a useful predictor of future falls. It is unknown if balance measures and gait variability are related. Our purpose was to investigate if step width (SW) variability is related to balance deficits in patients with COPD. We hypothesized that functional balance tests will closely correlate to the step width variability as compared to subjective balance questionnaires. Nine subjects with COPD and six controls performed a series of balance measures: sensory organization test (SOT), motor control test (MCT), Fullerton advanced balance scale (FAB), timed up and go (TUG); and subjective questionnaires: modified falls efficacy scale (mFES) and activities-specific balance confidence (ABC) scale. Subjects walked at a self-selected speed on a treadmill for six-minutes and SW variability was calculated. The standard deviation, coefficient of variation, and sample entropy of SW was subjected to correlation analysis with each balance tests. The controls showed a moderate, inverse relationship between the SOT and SW sample entropy (r=-0.40) yet, patients with COPD demonstrated a strong, positive relationship (r=0.59). A strong relationship between the TUG and SW standard deviation was found for both groups, however, inversed (r=0.59 and r=-0.59). Most notably, the same moderate, inverse relationship between SW sample entropy and the TUG was found for both groups (r=-0.41). No relationship was found between step width variability and the subjective questionnaires. Based on the relationship between SW sample entropy and the TUG, further research into step width sample entropy as the best indicator of balance deficits while using a dynamic balance measure is recommended. The inverse relationships found for the SOT & step width sample entropy and the TUG & step width standard deviation could be indicative of differential behaviors between the two groups.
An investigation into the correlation between step width variability and balance deficits in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience a higher incidence of falls. Further, gait variability has been shown to be a useful predictor of future falls. It is unknown if balance measures and gait variability are related. Our purpose was to investigate if step width (SW) variability is related to balance deficits in patients with COPD. We hypothesized that functional balance tests will closely correlate to the step width variability as compared to subjective balance questionnaires. Nine subjects with COPD and six controls performed a series of balance measures: sensory organization test (SOT), motor control test (MCT), Fullerton advanced balance scale (FAB), timed up and go (TUG); and subjective questionnaires: modified falls efficacy scale (mFES) and activities-specific balance confidence (ABC) scale. Subjects walked at a self-selected speed on a treadmill for six-minutes and SW variability was calculated. The standard deviation, coefficient of variation, and sample entropy of SW was subjected to correlation analysis with each balance tests. The controls showed a moderate, inverse relationship between the SOT and SW sample entropy (r=-0.40) yet, patients with COPD demonstrated a strong, positive relationship (r=0.59). A strong relationship between the TUG and SW standard deviation was found for both groups, however, inversed (r=0.59 and r=-0.59). Most notably, the same moderate, inverse relationship between SW sample entropy and the TUG was found for both groups (r=-0.41). No relationship was found between step width variability and the subjective questionnaires. Based on the relationship between SW sample entropy and the TUG, further research into step width sample entropy as the best indicator of balance deficits while using a dynamic balance measure is recommended. The inverse relationships found for the SOT & step width sample entropy and the TUG & step width standard deviation could be indicative of differential behaviors between the two groups.
Additional Information (Optional)
Winner of Best Undergraduate Poster Presentation