Balance Performance In Middle-aged Subjects With Cervical Spondylosis

Abstract

Cervical spondylosis is a common progressive disorder in aging cervical spine. Sensory systems are important for balance maintenance. Poor postural control in older people is associated with increased risk of falling. PURPOSE: This study was to evaluate the impact of cervical spondylosis in the middle-aged group, compared with the young control group, on balance performance, neck range of motion (ROM) and isometric muscle strength. METHODS: Fifteen middle-aged subjects (age: 52±7years) with cervical spondylosis, diagnosed by cervical spine radiographs, and fifteen young subjects (age: 22±2years) underwent sensory organization test (SOT) using SMART Balance Master System. SOT evaluates postural control under 6 conditions including (1) eyes open and fixed support (EO); (2) eyes closed and fixed support (EC); (3) sway-referenced vision and fixed support (SV); (4) eyes open and sway-referenced support (SS); (5) eyes closed and sway-referenced support (ECSS); and (6) sway-referenced vision and support (SVSS). Microfet3 was used to assess neck ROM and isometric strength. Comparisons between groups were made using independent t-test. RESULTS: Equilibrium scores showed significant differences between groups in EO (94.4±1.7 vs. 95.9±1.0), SS (80.1±15.5 vs. 91.2±2.6), ECSS (57.0±16.4 vs. 70.6±4.9) and SVSS (59.7±15.1 vs. 78.7±6.3). Vis (0.8±0.2 vs. 1.0±0.02) and Vest (0.6±0.2 vs. 0.7±0.1) ratios had significant differences between groups. Neck ROM was significantly larger and isometric rotational muscle strength was also significantly stronger in the young group than the middle-aged group. CONCLUSION: Cervical spondylosis was diagnosed in the milled-aged group and might contribute to the change of neck ROM and isometric strength. ROM and strength were both deteriorated in the middle-aged group compared to the young group. Sensory ratios indicate the ability to use the visual or vestibular system and reflect in a sense the neck function. Poor balance performance in the middle-aged group may be in part attributed to poor neck function, reflected in the lower sensory ratios.