Proprioceptive impairments in high fall risk older adults: the effect of mechanical calf vibration on postural balance
Abstract Background Impairments in proprioceptive mechanism with aging has been observed and associated with fall risk. The purpose of the current study was to assess proprioceptive deficits among high fall risk individuals in comparison with healthy participants, when postural performance was distu...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2018-05-01
|
| Series: | BioMedical Engineering OnLine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12938-018-0482-8 |
| _version_ | 1818278260615675904 |
|---|---|
| author | Nima Toosizadeh Hossein Ehsani Marco Miramonte Jane Mohler |
| author_facet | Nima Toosizadeh Hossein Ehsani Marco Miramonte Jane Mohler |
| author_sort | Nima Toosizadeh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Impairments in proprioceptive mechanism with aging has been observed and associated with fall risk. The purpose of the current study was to assess proprioceptive deficits among high fall risk individuals in comparison with healthy participants, when postural performance was disturbed using low-frequency mechanical gastrocnemius vibratory stimulation. Methods Three groups of participants were recruited: healthy young (n = 10; age = 23 ± 2 years), healthy elders (n = 10; age = 73 ± 3 years), and high fall risk elders (n = 10; age = 84 ± 9 years). Eyes-open and eyes-closed upright standing balance performance was measured with no vibration, and 30 and 40 Hz vibration of both calves. Vibration-induced changes in balance behaviors, compared to baseline (no vibratory stimulation) were compared between three groups using multivariable repeated measures analysis of variance models. Results Overall, similar results were observed for two vibration frequencies. However, changes in body sway due to vibration were more obvious within the eyes-closed condition, and in the medial–lateral direction. Within the eyes-closed condition high fall risk participants showed 83% less vibration-induced change in medial–lateral body sway, and 58% less sway velocity, when compared to healthy participants (p < 0.001; effect size = 0.45–0.64). Conclusions The observed differences in vibration effects on balance performance may be explained by reduced sensitivity in peripheral nervous system among older adults with impaired balance. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T23:14:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e739494f5a75423abab86c053c88004b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1475-925X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T23:14:37Z |
| publishDate | 2018-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BioMedical Engineering OnLine |
| spelling | doaj.art-e739494f5a75423abab86c053c88004b2022-12-22T00:08:30ZengBMCBioMedical Engineering OnLine1475-925X2018-05-0117111410.1186/s12938-018-0482-8Proprioceptive impairments in high fall risk older adults: the effect of mechanical calf vibration on postural balanceNima Toosizadeh0Hossein Ehsani1Marco Miramonte2Jane Mohler3Arizona Center on Aging (ACOA), Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of ArizonaArizona Center on Aging (ACOA), Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of ArizonaArizona Center on Aging (ACOA), Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of ArizonaArizona Center on Aging (ACOA), Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of ArizonaAbstract Background Impairments in proprioceptive mechanism with aging has been observed and associated with fall risk. The purpose of the current study was to assess proprioceptive deficits among high fall risk individuals in comparison with healthy participants, when postural performance was disturbed using low-frequency mechanical gastrocnemius vibratory stimulation. Methods Three groups of participants were recruited: healthy young (n = 10; age = 23 ± 2 years), healthy elders (n = 10; age = 73 ± 3 years), and high fall risk elders (n = 10; age = 84 ± 9 years). Eyes-open and eyes-closed upright standing balance performance was measured with no vibration, and 30 and 40 Hz vibration of both calves. Vibration-induced changes in balance behaviors, compared to baseline (no vibratory stimulation) were compared between three groups using multivariable repeated measures analysis of variance models. Results Overall, similar results were observed for two vibration frequencies. However, changes in body sway due to vibration were more obvious within the eyes-closed condition, and in the medial–lateral direction. Within the eyes-closed condition high fall risk participants showed 83% less vibration-induced change in medial–lateral body sway, and 58% less sway velocity, when compared to healthy participants (p < 0.001; effect size = 0.45–0.64). Conclusions The observed differences in vibration effects on balance performance may be explained by reduced sensitivity in peripheral nervous system among older adults with impaired balance.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12938-018-0482-8Wearable motion sensorsBody swayMechanical stimulationGeriatricsFallingSomatosensory system |
| spellingShingle | Nima Toosizadeh Hossein Ehsani Marco Miramonte Jane Mohler Proprioceptive impairments in high fall risk older adults: the effect of mechanical calf vibration on postural balance BioMedical Engineering OnLine Wearable motion sensors Body sway Mechanical stimulation Geriatrics Falling Somatosensory system |
| title | Proprioceptive impairments in high fall risk older adults: the effect of mechanical calf vibration on postural balance |
| title_full | Proprioceptive impairments in high fall risk older adults: the effect of mechanical calf vibration on postural balance |
| title_fullStr | Proprioceptive impairments in high fall risk older adults: the effect of mechanical calf vibration on postural balance |
| title_full_unstemmed | Proprioceptive impairments in high fall risk older adults: the effect of mechanical calf vibration on postural balance |
| title_short | Proprioceptive impairments in high fall risk older adults: the effect of mechanical calf vibration on postural balance |
| title_sort | proprioceptive impairments in high fall risk older adults the effect of mechanical calf vibration on postural balance |
| topic | Wearable motion sensors Body sway Mechanical stimulation Geriatrics Falling Somatosensory system |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12938-018-0482-8 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT nimatoosizadeh proprioceptiveimpairmentsinhighfallriskolderadultstheeffectofmechanicalcalfvibrationonposturalbalance AT hosseinehsani proprioceptiveimpairmentsinhighfallriskolderadultstheeffectofmechanicalcalfvibrationonposturalbalance AT marcomiramonte proprioceptiveimpairmentsinhighfallriskolderadultstheeffectofmechanicalcalfvibrationonposturalbalance AT janemohler proprioceptiveimpairmentsinhighfallriskolderadultstheeffectofmechanicalcalfvibrationonposturalbalance |