Impact of Psychological Distress and Sleep Quality on Balance Confidence, Muscle Strength, and Functional Balance in Community-Dwelling Middle-Aged and Older People

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the associations of psychological distress and sleep quality with balance confidence, muscle strength, and functional balance among community-dwelling middle-aged and older people. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted (n = 304). Balance confidence (Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale, ABC), muscle strength (hand grip dynamometer), and functional balance (Timed Up-and-Go test) were assessed. Psychological distress and sleep quality were evaluated by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, respectively. Age, sex, physical activity level, nutritional status, and fatigue were included as possible confounders. Multivariate linear and logistic regressions were performed. Higher values of anxiety (OR = 1.10), fatigue (OR = 1.04), and older age (OR = 1.08) were associated with an increased risk of falling (ABC < 67%). Greater muscle strength was associated with male sex and improved nutritional status (adjusted R2 = 0.39). On the other hand, being older and using sleeping medication were linked to poorer functional balance (adjusted R2 = 0.115). In conclusion, greater anxiety levels and the use of sleep medication were linked to a high risk of falling and poorer functional balance, respectively. No associations were found between muscle strength and sleep quality, anxiety, or depression.

Falls Injuries and Anxiety among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in the Midst of COVID-19 Lockdown Restrictions: Are these Helpful or Harmful?

“…In another study, where Fabrega-Cuadros et al [32] assessed the impact of psychological distress and sleep quality on balance confidence, muscle strength, and functional balance in 304 community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults, the results of their multivariate linear and logistic regressions showed higher anxiety values, fatigue, and using sleep medication were linked to falling. Anxious older adults were also found to exhibit less proficiency on standing at an elevated level and undergoing postural sway tests than non anxious control subjects [33].…”

“…Elderly fallers/near fallers may develop post fall anxiety Downton et al [47] Older fallers have higher anxiety rates than non fallers Fabrega-Cuadros et al [32] Greater anxiety and sleep medication heighten falls risk Hallford et al [29] There is a link between anxiety and falling Holloway et al [30] There is an association between falling and anxiety in men anxiety, and with this falls vulnerability among older possibly immunocompromised and chronically ill community living adults [50] that warrants immediate and carefully considered public health interventions 24]. Indeed, without immediate and dedicated efforts, it is likely that persistent falls injuries, including more severe injuries than those presently being reported since the inception of the pandemic, will ensue, even though many other forms of injurious trauma have been found to decline.…”

SARC-F and the Risk of Falling in Middle-Aged and Older Community-Dwelling Postmenopausal Women

“…Rivasi et al, in a study with a sample of community-dwelling people aged ≥60 years, found that, among others, participants who were older at baseline and had higher levels of depression and anxiety developed a fear of falling in a two-year follow up, although only the first two factors remained in the multivariate analysis [ 47 ]. Finally, sleep problems and greater levels of self-perceived fatigue have been associated with decreased balance confidence and greater fall risk in community-dwelling older adults [ 48 , 49 ]. This is in accordance with our findings, in which a high risk of falling assessed by the ABC-16 was related to anxiety and shorter sleep duration, as well as with SARC-F scores.…”

Emotional state and its impact on sleep quality in middle-aged and elderly people

“…2020 m. Ispanijoje buvo atliktas tyrimas, siekiant įvertinti bendruomenėje gyvenančių vidutinio ir vyresnio amžiaus žmonių psichologinio distreso ir miego kokybės sąsajas su raumenų jėga ir funkcine pusiausvyra (pusiausvyros išlaikymas). Šio tyrimo rezultatai parodė, kad didesnis nerimo lygis ir vaistų nuo miego sutrikimų vartojimas buvo susiję su kritimų rizika ir atitinkamai prastesne funkcine pusiausvyra [16].…”