The assessment of dynamic balance using four square step test in COPD

Abstract

The balance deficits are increasingly recognized in COPD. Deficits in balance were found to be associated with reduced physical activity levels and skeletal muscle weakness as a result of reduction in tissue oxygenation by dyspnea. Standard clinical balance measures, such as the Timed Up and Go, Sit to Stand tests and the Berg Balance Scale have been used in the assessment of balance in COPD. The aim of this study was to investigate if Four Square Step Test which have been used in different patient groups like stroke, Parkinsonism etc., can be used to evaluate dynamic balance in COPD patients. Thirty COPD patients (mean age:67.1y) and 30 healthy participants as control group (mean age:64.8y) were included in this study. The participants, who can’t answer at least 6 questions of Hodkinson Mental Test correctly, were excluded from this study. The dynamic balance of the subjects was evaluated by; Four Square Step Test (FSST), Timed Up and Go Test(TUG), Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test(FTST). There were significant differences between the groups for all these 3 tests (p We found poor dynamic balance levels in COPD patients as supported by many studies in literature. The results of this study indicate that FSST can also be used for the assessment of dynamic balance in COPD patients as an easy, quick, cheap and reliable method especially in rehabilitation.