Consistency in the assessment of postural balance using static stabilometry and scale techniques in older individuals: An observational study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In clinical practice, both clinical scales and instrumental methods are used in parallel to assess postural stability and the risk of falls. Literature data on the comparability of postural balance estimates obtained using scale techniques and stabilometry, particularly in older patients, are conflicting. AIM: to analyze the consistency in the assessment of postural balance by static stabilometry and scale techniques in older patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A pilot observational, nonrandomized, single-center study was conducted. The study participants were 39 women aged 60–75 years who did not have diseases or conditions that significantly affected the postural control system. Postural balance was assessed using clinical scales and tests (timed up and go test, classic and a double task; Berg balance scale; Mini-BESTest, balance evaluation systems test; performance-oriented mobility assessment; and falls efficacy scale) and basic spatial, spatiotemporal, and spectral parameters of static stabilometry. A stabilometric study was conducted at the posturological complex Biokinect. Correlation analysis of the data of the scale techniques and stabilometry was performed. RESULTS: The correlation analysis showed both the correlation between some parameters of stabilogram and scale techniques and the complete absence of a significant correlation between others. However, even in the presence of a statistically significant correlation, the relationship between the parameters did not exceed the moderate or average level (maximum value of the correlation coefficient, 0.685, p 0.01). The largest correlation was found between the stabilometric parameters and the timed up and go test (correlated with 11 out of 21 parameters) and the falls efficacy scale (10 parameters), and the smallest was found with the Mini-BESTest (5 parameters). The values of the stabilometric parameter (speed of movement of the center of pressure) demonstrated a statistically significant correlation with most of the clinical instruments (4 out of 6). CONCLUSION: This study showed low consistency between the basic parameters of static stabilometry and scale techniques in older people. The results of simpler scale techniques for the assessment of postural balance correlated better with stabilometry data than with more complex and multicomponent ones because the total indicator of the latter is a generalized assessment of postural stability and other elements of complex motor behavior associated with postural balance. Therefore, simple scale techniques and tasks should be preferred when assessing the basic postural stability and risk of falls in older people.