Impact of musculoskeletal pain on balance and concerns of falling in mobility-limited, community-dwelling Danes over 75 years of age: a cross-sectional study

• Published in: Aging clinical and experimental research 2018-08, Vol.30 (8), p.969-975
• Main Authors: Kendall, Julie C., Hvid, Lars G., Hartvigsen, Jan, Fazalbhoy, Azharuddin, Azari, Michael F., Skjødt, Mathias, Robinson, Stephen R., Caserotti, Paolo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Back pain; Cross-sectional studies; Geriatrics/Gerontology; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mobility; Neck pain; Older people; Original Article; Posture
• ISSN: 1720-8319; 1594-0667; 1720-8319
• DOI: 10.1007/s40520-017-0876-7

Background In older adults, musculoskeletal pain is associated with increased concerns of falling, reduced balance and increased occurrence of falls. In younger adults, the intensity of neck pain and low back pain is associated with increased postural sway. It is not known if pain further impairs balance and concerns of falling in mobility-limited older adults, and if so, whether this is associated with different intensities of pain. Objective This study examined whether mobility-limited older adults with mild or intense neck pain and/or low back pain have significantly increased postural sway as measured by centre of pressure (COP) changes and concerns of falling compared to those without pain. Methods 48 older adults with a gait speed of  5) neck pain or low back pain. Results Intense neck pain was associated with increased anterior-posterior sway range and area of sway. Intense low back pain was associated with increased concerns of falling. Conclusion Intense neck pain in mobility-limited older adults is associated with significant changes in postural balance, and intense low back pain is associated with significantly higher concerns of falling.