Postural Control Measures in Randomized Controlled Trials for Older Adults Balance: A Systematic Scoping Review.

Abstract

The aim of this work was to identify and characterize the measures employed for assessing postural control in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of balance interventions in older adults with the reference to the Systems Framework for Postural Control. A scoping review was conducted, and RCTs of balance interventions in older adults published from 2013 to March 2023 were considered for inclusion. Two hundred and seventy-one studies were included with a total of 49 different measures used; the Timed Up and Go test being the most commonly employed. The median number of components of postural control assessed per study was five. The most frequently assessed components were motor systems and static stability, while reactive postural control, cognitive influences and verticality were the least frequently assessed. Postural control in RCTs of balance in older adults was assessed using a wide range of measures, but also from the perspective of a limited number of components.