Abstract
The objective was to evaluate the associations of psychological distress and sleep quality with balance confidence, muscle strength, and functional balance among community-dwelling middle-aged and older people. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted (n = 304). Balance confidence (Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale, ABC), muscle strength (hand grip dynamometer), and functional balance (Timed Up-and-Go test) were assessed. Psychological distress and sleep quality were evaluated by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, respectively. Age, sex, physical activity level, nutritional status, and fatigue were included as possible confounders. Multivariate linear and logistic regressions were performed. Higher values of anxiety (OR = 1.10), fatigue (OR = 1.04), and older age (OR = 1.08) were associated with an increased risk of falling (ABC < 67%). Greater muscle strength was associated with male sex and improved nutritional status (adjusted R2 = 0.39). On the other hand, being older and using sleeping medication were linked to poorer functional balance (adjusted R2 = 0.115). In conclusion, greater anxiety levels and the use of sleep medication were linked to a high risk of falling and poorer functional balance, respectively. No associations were found between muscle strength and sleep quality, anxiety, or depression.
Highlights
Aging brings with it a series of changes that can affect the mobility and independence of people [1]
When studying the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale (ABC) score (23.42 ± 7.25), 24.01% of participants were at risk of falling
Our study found no associations whatsoever between muscle strength and sleep quality, and increased muscle strength was independently associated only with being male and with improved nutritional status
Summary
Aging brings with it a series of changes that can affect the mobility and independence of people [1]. Sleep quality is a key contributor to good health, and its importance among the older population cannot be overstated, given that sleep disorders and the difficulty to fall asleep become more common with age [6]. It has been shown that the need to sleep remains the same throughout an individual’s life, the ability to get enough sleep does decrease with age. This brings about several adverse health outcomes such as reduced physical function, depression, increased risk of falls, and mortality [7]
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