Biopsychosocial Measures Related to Chronic Low Back Pain Postural Control in Older Adults.

Ryan Hulla,Robert Gatchel,Angela Liegey-Dougall

doi:10.3390/healthcare5040074

Ryan Hulla, Robert Gatchel + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare5040074

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Journal: Healthcare	Publication Date: Oct 14, 2017
Citations: 1	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: The University of Texas at Arlington

Abstract

This study examined the biopsychosocial measures related to postural control in the growing population of older adults (i.e., 60 years and older). The sample of the study consisted of 129 older adults (M = 74.45, SD = 6.95), with 34 males and 95 females; 36 were classified with chronic low-back pain (CLBP), and 93 without chronic low-back pain (NCLBP). Physical and psychosocial constructs were analyzed as predictors for postural control measures. Additionally, gender and classification of low-back pain were examined as moderators for all physical and psychosocial measures. Results demonstrated that physical and psychosocial measures were able to significantly predict composite, visual, and vestibular balance measures, but not somatosensory or preference balance measures. The chair-stand test, modified sit-and-reach test, sleep disturbance, and balance efficacy were all identified as individually significant predictors. Gender and CLBP did not moderate the utility of any predictor variables. Results of the current study re-confirm the importance of utilizing the biopsychosocial approach for future research examining postural control in older adults.

Highlights

This study examined the biopsychosocial measures related to postural control in the growing population of older adults (i.e., 60 years and older)
There is a great deal of biopsychosocial distress associated with slips and falls, such as anxiety of falling, evading activities due to anxiety of falling, and decreased postural control efficacy; these are often taxing phenomena among older adults [3,4,5]
In a study conducted by Hageman and colleagues, older adults had greater sway in balance measures when compared to younger adults, but gender did not have a significant effect on balance [28]

Summary

Introduction

This study examined the biopsychosocial measures related to postural control in the growing population of older adults (i.e., 60 years and older). Older adults are at higher risk of sustaining physical injury and psychosocial trauma from a slip or fall [10]. The elderly population is more vulnerable to falls because of age-associated ailments that include declining vision, absence of physical activity, weakening neuromuscular factors, cognitive deficiencies, osteoarthritis, and the use of diuretic and psychotropic medications [19]. These ailments result in roughly one-fourth of elderly adults falling every year, with one-fifth of them needing medical attention and resulting in serious injury [20]. Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths among individuals over the age of 65; and half of the falls will occur in their own home [35,36]

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Conclusion