Introduction. The relevance of the study is determined by the tasks set in the National Project “Demography” (Federal Project “Senior Generation”), and consists in the need for registration of functional characteristics of the organism of older age groups in the accounting system of measures to preserve their health.Aim of the study is to establish the characteristics of anxiety and components of the postural balance (CPB) in elderly women with the risk of recurrent falls.Material and methods. We examined 232 women aged 55-69 years who reported that they experienced two or more falls over the past 12 months. The first age group included women whose calendar age was in the range of 55-64 years (n = 72), the second - women aged 65-69 years (n = 160). Using the self-assessment diagnostic technique by Spielberger, Ch. D., and Khanin, Yu. L. we determined the level of situational (SA) and personal (PA) anxiety. To assess the features of the CPB, a US-manufactured computerized dynamic posturography complex Smart Equitest Balance Manager was used. Sensory Organization Test (SOT) and Motor Control Test (MCT) tests were conducted. Results. When analyzing anxiety scale values, a high level of PA was revealed in both groups of women, however, the SA indices in women 55-64 years old were lower than for women 65-69 years old (p = 0.005). All this indicates that the development of recurrent falls among women older 64 years will be accompanied by mental tension and pronounced emotional responses to postural changes. According to computerized dynamic posturography testing, age-related differences in CPB have been revealed. There was a decrease in the quality of the equilibrium function by test 5 SOT and vestibular information in postural control found in women of age group 55-64, whereas for women in the age group 65-69 there was a decrease in the quality of equilibrium function by test 4 and visual information in balance control. In the latter, there was also found an increase in the time of coordinated motor response by the test of unexpected external impact on the shift of the center of gravity capable of enhancing the risks of stuttering and falls when walking fast.Conclusion. The suggested criteria for assessing the risk of falls in elderly women can be used to develop individual health programs to prevent serious consequences in such events.
The purpose of the study was to reveal age characteristics of the components of postural control in women 55-64 years old. Computer dynamic stabilometrical complex «Smart Equitest Balance Manager» was used for the comprehensive evaluation of the equilibrium function in elderly women. The following tests were used: Sensory Organization Test (SOT), Motor Control Test (MCT), Rhythmic Weight Shift (RWS). On the basis of the analysis of postural control parameters and according to the SOT data, we have found a quality decrease of the equilibrium function in the functional tests 1-4, as well as reduction in the degree of involvement of the somatosensory information in the balance control in women after 59 years. In addition, comparative analysis also revealed a weakening of postural strategy in all six functional tests SOT. However, no age-related changes have been found in the quality of the equilibrium function (functional tests 5 and 6), being the result of SOT assessment, as well as the degree of involvement of visual and vestibular information in the balance control. The analysis of the MCT test has shown deceleration of coordinated motor reactions. RWS test analysis has shown that women from 59 years had a quality deterioration of gravity control center while moving in the frontal and sagittal directions, as well as speed reduction of the gravity center movements in the sagittal direction.
The paper presents data on the characteristics of a postural-motor control (PMC) in female fallers 65-74 years old (twice or more fallers during a year). Evaluation of PMC parameters was carried out using computer posturographic (stabilometric) complex «Balance Master». «Sit to stand» test analysis showed a rate decrease in the average rise index (p = 0,009) and a rate increase in the average speed of the gravity center (GC) oscillation (p = 0,003) in older women with F. Comparative evaluation of the test «Walk Across» found a decline in the average step length (p = 0,042) and the average speed of walking (p = 0,029) in the surveyed female fallers. Characteristics of the test «Tandem Walk» showed a rate decrease in the average final GC oscillation (p
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