Comparative Postural Control in COPD Patients and Healthy Individuals During Dynamic and Static Activities

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Geriatrics
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is associated with impaired body balance and increased fall risk.
• Body sway in COPD patients may hinder daily activities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare body balance between COPD patients and healthy individuals during static and dynamic activities.
• To investigate the relationship between balance impairment and falls in COPD patients.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 93 COPD patients (mild to very severe) and 39 healthy controls.
• Exclusion criteria included current smoking and recent physical training.
• Static balance assessed via computerized posturography; dynamic balance assessed using the Berg Balance Scale.

Main Results:

• COPD patients exhibited significantly higher body balance impairment (P = .0005).
• Greater balance impairment in COPD patients correlated with a higher incidence of falls.
• Age had a more pronounced effect on body balance in COPD patients compared to healthy individuals.

Conclusions:

• Body balance is significantly impaired in COPD patients compared to healthy individuals, particularly during dynamic activities.
• Impaired balance in COPD patients is linked to an increased frequency of falls.