Balance is impaired in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Received 26 August 2009; received in revised form 28 January 2010; accepted 29 January 2010. published online 08 March 2010.
Abstract
Background
It has recently been suggested that people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have an increased risk of falls. Although falls risk is multifactorial, impaired balance may contribute. The primary aim of this study was to compare balance between people with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the secondary aim was to determine if balance deteriorates when respiratory demand is increased by upper limb exercise.
Methods
Twelve people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 12 healthy control subjects participated in this study. Participants stood on a force plate to record centre of pressure displacement during a range of conditions that challenge balance. Lumbar spine and hip motion were measured with inclinometers. Balance trials were performed before and after participation in upper limb exercise that increased respiratory demand in those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Findings
People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease had increased mediolateral centre of pressure displacement and increased angular motion of the hip compared to healthy controls. Mediolateral centre of pressure displacement was further increased in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease following exercise, but unchanged in controls. Anteroposterior centre of pressure displacement did not differ between groups.
Interpretation
People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have reduced control of balance in the mediolateral direction. This may contribute to an increased risk of falls in this population.
aClinical Centre of Research Excellence in Spinal Pain, Injury and Health, The University of Queensland, Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
bThe Prince Charles Hospital, Physiotherapy Department, Chermside, Queensland 4032, Australia
Corresponding author at: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia. Tel.: +61 7 3365 4523; fax: +61 7 3365 1622.
ABSTRACT