Postural Control Measures of Patients with Lower Back Pain Using Balance Master(R) System

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate that lower back pain would influence postural control ability. METHOD: Thirty-eight adults (18 men, 20 women) participated and were divided into two groups; the study (patients with lower back pain) group and the control (healthy adults) group. Postural control ability of participants was evaluated through the Balance Master(R) system. A total of seven measurements were analyzed to determine the difference between the study and control group. RESULTS: Patients with lower back pain demonstrated weight bearing patterns on the non-tender side, wider area of sway (degrees) under conditions (unilateral stance on firm surface with eye closed) in modified clinical test sensory interaction on balance (p<0.05). Wider area of turn sway (degrees) and long turn time (sec) during step/quick turn were demonstrated in patients with lower back pain (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results showed that patients with lower back pain was reduced in the postural control ability. Further studies about the effect of back exercise on postural control ability of patients with lower back pain should be carried out.

Comparison of Postural Control Measures between Older and Younger Adults Using Balance Master System

OBJECTIVE: Postural control ability is one of determinant factors of falls in older adults. The purpose of this study was to determine if age affected postural control measures in Balance Master system. METHOD: Forty-four healthy adults (22 men, 22 women) were divided into two groups; younger (20 to 29 years) and older (60 to 69 years) groups. All participants were tested by Balance Master system. A total 5 measurements were analyzed to determine the difference between older and younger group. RESULTS: Older adults demonstrated wider area of sway (o) under condition (eye closed on foam surface) in mCTSIB, low directional control (%) in slow front/back rhythmic weight shift, and low on-axis velocity (o/sec) in fast front/back rhythmic weight shift (p<0.05). Right/ Left weight symmetry (%) during sit to stand was significantly higher in older groups (p<0.05). Wider area of turn sway (o) and longer turn time (sec) during step/ quick turn were demonstrated in older groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results showed that the postural control ability measured by Balance Master system was reduced in the older adults. Further studies should be carried out to correlate this reduction with the falls in healthy elderly.