COMPARISON OF PLANTAR SENSITIVITY, POSTURAL SWAY AND FEAR OF FALL IN OLDERS WITH AND WITHOUT FALLING STORY
Banu Unver, Nilgun Bek, Aynur Cicek
article (Uluslararası, Hakemli) | Yazar(lar): Banu Unver, Nilgun Bek, Aynur Cicek | Yıl: 2017 | Dergi/Kurum: TURKISH JOURNAL OF PHYSIOTHERAPY REHABILITATION-FIZYOTERAPI REHABILITASYON | İndeks: WOS.ESCI | Anahtar Kelimeler: Older, fall, plantar sensitivity, postural sway — Özet: Purpose: The aim of this study is to inv
Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate differences between olders with and without falling story in terms of plantar sensitivity, postural sway and fear of fall.
Methods: Fourty subjects consisting of 21 women and 19 men, and over 65 years of age included in this study. Subjects were divided into two groups as with (n=14) and without falling story (n=26). Plantar light touch-tactile and static two point discrimination sensitivity were measured; anteroposterior and mediolateral deviation quantity and speed of the center of mass (COM) were recorded by WinTrack (R) Pedobarograph under eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions. Fear of fall were evaluated by Falls Efficacy Scale.
Results: There were no significant differences between olders with and without falling story in terms of plantar sensitivity and postural sway parameters (p>0.05); fear of fall was higher in olders with falling story according to those without falling story (p=0.007).
Discussion: More than 33% of individuals over 65 years fall more than once a year and fear of falling causes decreased quality of life by limiting outdoor activities. There are studies showing that tactile sensory loss in first toe and first metatarsophalangeal joint and increase in postural sway are related to falls. Our study found no difference between olders with and without falling story in terms of plantar sensitivity and postural sway, but higher fear of falling in those with falling story. Reducing fear of falling should take place among treatment targets for reducing the risk of falls in olders.