Prevalence of Balance Alteration in Geriatric Population Using Berg Balance Scale

Abstract

Introduction: Balance is defined as the ability to keep the body's centre of mass within the limit of the base of support, and it is required for many functional activities of daily life such as mobility & fall avoidance. Balance impairment occurs in up to 75% people aged 70 years &older, assessment of balance abilities is important for the diagnosis of important potential. Evidence health based care requires the use of valid reliable test during clinical assessment. Although impairment in balance is acknowledged as a major predictor of falls, systematic reviews have been limited in recommending specific clinical assessment scales of balance .Geriatrics is a branch of medical science which deals with the care of old people. Old age changes are called senescence. An ability to predict risk of further falling is needed in order to target high risk individual for prevention and intervention. Materials and Methods: The subjects both male and female between the age group 60-75 years were recruited for the study. For study research, 50 subjects were selected; and were divided among three age groups i.e. 60-65, 65-70, 71-75, and checked which age group was prone for balance alteration. Berg balance scale is used to measure the balance alteration. Berg balance consists of 14 items primarily assisting transfers and static standing balance, with limited dynamic activities. It takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete berg balance scale. Items are rated on a 0 to 4 scale based on performance quality, performance duration and assistance needed, with a total range of 0 to 56 according to score interpreted. The total maximum score is 56 interpreted accordingly to the subject score. Results: The results showed that the ANOVA test P value (<0.001) is significant. Conclusion: It was found that as the age increases balance alteration and risk of fall also increases while berg balance score decreases. There is significance of prevalence of balance alteration and risk of fall in geriatric population.

Effects of Taekkyon-based exercise program on balance, lower extremity strength, and gait parameters in community-dwelling older women: Randomized controlled trial

“…For inclusion into the study, subjects from both groups who agreed to participate were required to fulfill the following criteria: (i) women ≥65 years of age with no history of falls in the past year, (ii) scored over 24 points out of 30 in Korean mini-mental state examination, [ 8 ] (iii) scored over 45 points out of 56 in Berg balance scale, indicating not a high but still a level of fall risk, [ 9 , 10 ] and (iv) not participating in other exercise programs or Taekkyon program for the last 6 months. The exclusion criteria included: (i) chronic disease, such as cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, ischemic heart disease, and orthostatic hypotension and (ii) unable to walk independently without aids (cane, walker, etc) or help.…”