Performance of Balance Impaired Elders on Three Balance Tests under Two Visual Conditions

• Published in: Journal of geriatric physical therapy (2001) 2006, Vol.29 (1), p.3-7
• Main Authors: Huang, Min, Burgess, Ruth, Weber, Mark, Greenwald, Neva F
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aging; Comparative analysis; Eyes & eyesight; Falls; Health risk assessment; Older people
• ISSN: 1539-8412; 2152-0895
• DOI: 10.1519/00139143-200604000-00002

Purpose: This study compared differences in balance measures among elderly adults with different degrees of balance impairments under different visual conditions. Methods: This study was conducted on 89 adults (> 60 years) with balance impairments. Subjects were divided into 3 groups based on the initial Tinetti score: low risk of fall (LRF, n=29), moderate risk of fall (MRF, n=30) and high risk of fall (HRF, n=30). Three balance measures-Tinetti, Timed-up and Go (TUG), and Functional Reach-were tested with 2 different visual conditions: eyes open with normal vision (EONV) and eyes open with blurred vision (EOBV). All data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: Subjects with EOBV had significantly decreased Tinetti (P < .01) and Functional Reach (P < .01 ) scores and increased TUG (P < .01) scores regardless of fall group. Subjects in the LRF group performed better in all 3 tests than those in MRF (P < .01) and HRF (P < .01) groups. Subjects in the MRF group performed better in all 3 tests than those in HRF (P < .01 ).There were significant interactions between vision and risk of falls in Tinetti (P < .01) and TUG (P < .01) scores. However, there was no significant interaction between vision and risk of falls in Functional Reach (P > .05) scores. Conclusion: Blurred vision significantly altered all 3 balance measure scores in all risk groups. However, blurred vision had a greater influence on Tinetti and TUG scores than Functional Reach scores in subjects with higher risk of falls. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]