The effects of physical and non-physical functioning on one-leg standing Balance in a population of institutionalized adults

Abstract

Aim: To determine the effects of physical and non–physical functioning on one-leg standing balance ability, eighty five institutionalized persons older than age 55 (48 women, 37 men; mean age 73.13±8.06) were examined. Methods: This study was carried out from February 2007 to June 2007 in different two rest homes in Denizli, Turkey. One- leg standing balance (OLSB) test was performed on right limb with eyes open and closed. Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGCMS), Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT) were used to evaluate the non–physical functioning. To examine physical functioning of the subjects, Elderly Mobility Scale (EMS), and 6-m. Walking Speed Test (WST) were also used. All the participants could perform all five tests. Results: Elderly women had lower scores regarding all the outcome continuous variables compared to the older men. Stepwise regression analysis showed that mobility level was the most effective factor on the one-leg standing balance ability, while the non–physical functioning had no any effect. Conclusion: The data support that elderly people with a decreased mobility level are at risk for standing balance.

Key words:

Institutionalized elderly, morale status, mental health, mobility level, walking velocity, balance ability.