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Abstract
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OBJECTIVE
To find out the Balance status of the elderly people using Berg Balance Scale. To study the factors associated with the balance status of the elderly using Berg Balance Score. To find out the relationship of Berg Balance Score with falls among elderly. Study Design
Cross-sectional study. Participants
36 elderly people residing in old age homes.
METHOD
36 elderly people residing in old age homes for at least 1 year were interviewed with a questionnaire followed by physical examination to collect data related to factors such as age, sex, BMI, habits, assistive devices used, number of drugs/day, co-morbidities, history of falls, fear of falls, six minute walk test and timed up & go test. Then all these factors were correlated with Berg Balance Score.
FINDINGS
Out of 36 elders, 11 had a Berg Balance Score (BBS) suggesting moderate risk and remaining 25 with mild risk for falls. Nobody was in the severe risk group. The following factors like assistive devices used, Systolic blood pressure, history of falls, fear of falls, six minute walk test (SMWT) and timed up & go test (TUG) were found to be significantly influencing BBS. The remaining factors such as Age, Sex, Body Mass Index (BMI), Habits, No. of Drugs/day, Co-Morbidities, Diastolic BP and Pulse rate were found to be not significantly influencing BBS.
CONCLUSION
Berg balance score influence most of the factors like assistive device used, history of falls, fear of falls, SMWT & TUG. Hence, above factors may be used to identify the elders who are at greater risk for falls. This may help in designing effective fall prevention programme.
Language: en |