Gait parameters, balance and risk of falls in COPD: Cross sectional study

Background: The extra pulmonary manifestations leading to reduced muscle strength, balance deficits have been found to increase the risk of falls in patients with COPD. However, there is dearth in literature on balance, gait parameters and the risk of falls in COPD compared to age matched individualsObjective of the study: To compare the static and dynamic balance, gait parameters and risk of fall between COPD patients and asymptomatic age matched individuals.Methodology: 42 COPD subjects (Mean age 61.90 textpm 4.61) and 45 asymptomatic age matched individuals (Mean age 60.47 textpm 6.18) participated in the study. The static balance was assessed by posturography and dynamic balance was assessed by Time Up and Go (TUG) test. The gait parameters such as step duration, gait cycle duration and swing duration were recorded in milliseconds using Wintrack gait analyser and the fear of falls was assessed by using Falls Efficacy Scale (FES)Results: COPD patients had increased sway in normal standing eyes closed and eyes open in both antero-posterior and medial directions compared to age matched individuals (p lt; 0.05). There was significant delay in the time taken in seconds during TUG test, swing duration and also increased FES scores (plt; 0.01) in COPD patients as compared to asymptomatic age matched individuals.Conclusion: COPD patients had increased swing duration in gait assessment, reduced static and dynamic balance and increased risk of falls as compared to asymptomatic age matched individuals.