Citation

Marques LT, Rodrigues NC, Angeluni EO, Pessanha FPADS, Alves NMDC, Freire Junior RC, Ferriolli E, de Abreu DCC. J. Geriatr. Phys. Ther. 2019; 42(3): 176-182.

Affiliation

1Physiotherapy Course, Department of Biomechanics, Medicine and Rehabilitation of Locomotor System, and Rehabilitation and Functional Performance Program, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. 2Department of Medicine, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, American Physical Therapy Association)

DOI

10.1519/JPT.0000000000000147

PMID

28914718

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: With the increase in the percentage of the population in older adulthood, issues such as frailty syndrome need to be considered. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ability of the Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest) and center of pressure (COP) in their ability to discriminate between nonfrail, prefrail, and frail older adults. The proposed hypothesis is that frail older adults would show poorer performance in BESTest tasks and higher oscillation of COP on a force platform.

METHODS: Sixty older adults 65 years or older were divided into 3 groups of 20: group 1, nonfrail; group 2, prefrail; and group 3, frail. The prefrail and frail identifications were made by Fried's 5 frailty phenotype criteria. Balance was assessed using the BESTest and a force platform in 6 positions: (1) fixed platform with eyes open; (2) fixed platform with eyes closed; (3) unstable platform with foam, with eyes open; (4) unstable platform, with eyes closed; (5) semitandem with eyes open; and (6) semitandem with eyes closed.

RESULTS: Frail older adults had lower scores in all sections and in the total score of the BESTest, indicating worse performance in the tasks. However, on the force platform, the frail older adults did not show higher oscillations, having similar mean values when compared with the prefrail and nonfrail older adults, indicating similar behavior of COP.

CONCLUSION: The BESTest seems to be more appropriate than a force plate for assessing postural control impairment and discriminating balance performance among frail, prefrail, and nonfrail older adults, providing information about different components of postural control rather than the force plate, which evaluates sensory orientation.

Language: en