Performance of Balance Impaired Elders on Three Balance Tests under Two Visual Conditions

Abstract

This study compared differences in balance measures among elderly adults with different degrees of balance impairments under different visual conditions. This study was conducted on 89 adults (> 60 years) with balance impairments. Subjects were divided into 3 groups based on the initial Tinetti score: low risk of fall (LRF, n=29), moderate risk of fall (MRF, n=30) and high risk of fall (HRF, n=30). Three balance measures-Tinetti, Timed-up and Go (TUG), and Functional Reach-were tested with 2 different visual conditions: eyes open with normal vision (EONV) and eyes open with blurred vision (EOBV). All data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. Subjects with EOBV had significantly decreased Tinetti (P < .01 ) and Functional Reach (P < .01 ) scores and increased TUG (P < .01 ) scores regardless of fall group. Subjects in the LRF group performed better in all 3 tests than those in MRF (P < .01 ) and HRF (P < .01 ) groups. Subjects in the MRF group performed better in all 3 tests than those in HRF (P < .01 ). There were significant interactions between vision and risk of falls in Tinetti (P < .01 ) and TUG (P < .01 ) scores. However, there was no significant interaction between vision and risk of falls in Functional Reach (P > .05) scores. Blurred vision significantly altered all 3 balance measure scores in all risk groups. However, blurred vision had a greater influence on Tinetti and TUG scores than Functional Reach scores in subjects with higher risk of falls.