Proprioceptive impairments in high fall risk older adults: the effect of mechanical calf vibration on postural balance

Abstract

BackgroundImpairments in proprioceptive mechanism with aging has been observed and associated with fall risk. The purpose of the current study was to assess proprioceptive deficits among high fall risk individuals in comparison with healthy participants, when postural performance was disturbed using low-frequency mechanical gastrocnemius vibratory stimulation.MethodsThree groups of participants were recruited: healthy young (n = 10; age = 23 ± 2 years), healthy elders (n = 10; age = 73 ± 3 years), and high fall risk elders (n = 10; age = 84 ± 9 years). Eyes-open and eyes-closed upright standing balance performance was measured with no vibration, and 30 and 40 Hz vibration of both calves. Vibration-induced changes in balance behaviors, compared to baseline (no vibratory stimulation) were compared between three groups using multivariable repeated measures analysis of variance models.ResultsOverall, similar results were observed for two vibration frequencies. However, changes in body sway due to vibration were more obvious within the eyes-closed condition, and in the medial–lateral direction. Within the eyes-closed condition high fall risk participants showed 83% less vibration-induced change in medial–lateral body sway, and 58% less sway velocity, when compared to healthy participants (p < 0.001; effect size = 0.45–0.64).ConclusionsThe observed differences in vibration effects on balance performance may be explained by reduced sensitivity in peripheral nervous system among older adults with impaired balance.

Relationship Between Postural Stability and Falls Risk in Elderly People with Lumbar Spondylosis During Local Vibratory Stimulation for Proprioception: A Cross-sectional Study

“…This may be because the falls risk group tended to implement the ankle strategy in response to proprioceptive signals (muscle spindles) to maintain balance. Additionally, this result conflicts with that of Toosizadeh et al who reported that the high falls risk groups showed larger hip sway in the eyes-closed condition than the healthy non-fall risk groups [12]. A reduced multisegmental strategy seems to lead to decreased postural robustness during vibratory stimulus at 30 Hz in the falls risk group with lumbar spondylosis [3,14,23,24].…”

“…Toosizadeh et al reported larger hip sway when maintaining balance under vibratory stimulus in the high-falls risk group of elderly people than in the healthy group [12]. Accordingly, balance impairments, such as variability in postural control strategies and possibility of impaired proprioception, may also lead to an increased risk of falls among elderly people with lumbar spondylosis.…”

A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial evaluating vibration therapy as an intervention for postural training and fall prevention after distal radius fracture in elderly patients

“…Numerous studies have proven the effect of vibration therapy in preventing falls and fractures and in improving balancing ability in normal elderly [29,30]. Our previous randomized controlled trial with 710 healthy, active and independent postmenopausal women over 60 years old had shown LMHFV to have significant improvements in reducing falls, reaction time and movement velocity and in providing maximum excursion of balancing ability assessment as well as quadriceps muscle strength [15].…”

A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial evaluating vibration therapy as an intervention for postural training and fall prevention after distal radius fracture in elderly patients

“…Numerous studies have proven the effect of vibration therapy in preventing falls and fracture, and improving balancing ability in normal elderly (29,30). Our previous randomized controlled trial with 710 healthy, active and independent postmenopausal women over 60 years old had shown LMHFV to have significant improvements in reducing falls, reaction time, movement velocity, and maximum excursion of balancing ability assessment and also quadriceps muscle strength (15).…”