Comparison of Balance Impairment among Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Healthy Population
Tahzeem Riaz, Qurat Ul Ain, Maha Amjad, Ayesha Fiaz, Yasha Sajjad, Sadaf Waris
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ABSTRACT
Background: Chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition that affects respiratory system.
Balance impairments are increasingly seen in patients suffering from COPD
resulting in the onset of risk of falls.
Objective: To compare balance impairment and fall risk
between COPD patients and healthy individuals.
Methodology: A comparative cross-sectional study was
conducted on 16 clinically stable COPD patients and 16 healthy individuals,
with age range of 40-65 years. Berg balance scale (BBS), activity Specific
balance confidence scale (ABC) and Time Up and Go test (TUG) were administered
to evaluate balance impairments.
Results: Independent sample T-test was applied to
compare the difference in tests in both groups. Statistically significant
difference was observed between two groups in terms of their BBS, ABC and TUG
all with p<0.05. Pearson correlation test was used to check the correlation
of age, BMI, and smoking with balance.
Conclusion: The study concluded that COPD patients have
balance impairments and high risks of falls as compared to healthy individuals.
Furthermore, the study shows positive correlation of BMI and no relation of age
and smoking with balance impairment.
Keywords: Balance Impairments, Berg balance scale, Chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, Fall, Time up and go test.
ABSTRACT
Background: Chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition that affects respiratory system.
Balance impairments are increasingly seen in patients suffering from COPD
resulting in the onset of risk of falls.
Objective: To compare balance impairment and fall risk
between COPD patients and healthy individuals.
Methodology: A comparative cross-sectional study was
conducted on 16 clinically stable COPD patients and 16 healthy individuals,
with age range of 40-65 years. Berg balance scale (BBS), activity Specific
balance confidence scale (ABC) and Time Up and Go test (TUG) were administered
to evaluate balance impairments.
Results: Independent sample T-test was applied to
compare the difference in tests in both groups. Statistically significant
difference was observed between two groups in terms of their BBS, ABC and TUG
all with p<0.05. Pearson correlation test was used to check the correlation
of age, BMI, and smoking with balance.
Conclusion: The study concluded that COPD patients have
balance impairments and high risks of falls as compared to healthy individuals.
Furthermore, the study shows positive correlation of BMI and no relation of age
and smoking with balance impairment.
Keywords: Balance Impairments, Berg balance scale, Chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, Fall, Time up and go test.