Eliane Mayumi Kato-Narita1, Ricardo Nitrini, Marcia Radanovic. 1. Center of Reference in Cognitive Disorders Behavioural and Cognitive Neurology Group, Hospital das Clínicas, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. elimkato@yahoo.com.br
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the correlation between balance, falls and loss of functional capacity in mild and moderate Alzheimer's disease(AD). METHOD: 40 subjects without cognitive impairment (control group) and 48 AD patients (25 mild, 23 moderate) were evaluated with the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD). Subjects answered a questionnaire about falls occurrence in the last twelve months. RESULTS: Moderate AD patients showed poorer balance (p=0.001) and functional capacity (p <0.0001) and it was observed a correlation between falls and balance (r= -0.613; p=0.045). CONCLUSION: There is a decline of balance related to AD which is a factor associated to the occurrence of falls, albeit not the most relevant one. The loss of functional capacity is associated with the disease's progress but not to a higher occurrence of falls. The balance impairment did not correlate with functional decline in AD patients.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the correlation between balance, falls and loss of functional capacity in mild and moderate Alzheimer's disease(AD). METHOD: 40 subjects without cognitive impairment (control group) and 48 ADpatients (25 mild, 23 moderate) were evaluated with the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD). Subjects answered a questionnaire about falls occurrence in the last twelve months. RESULTS: Moderate ADpatients showed poorer balance (p=0.001) and functional capacity (p <0.0001) and it was observed a correlation between falls and balance (r= -0.613; p=0.045). CONCLUSION: There is a decline of balance related to AD which is a factor associated to the occurrence of falls, albeit not the most relevant one. The loss of functional capacity is associated with the disease's progress but not to a higher occurrence of falls. The balance impairment did not correlate with functional decline in ADpatients.
Authors: Laura Z Gras; Saddam F Kanaan; Joan M McDowd; Yvonne M Colgrove; Jeffrey Burns; Patricia S Pohl Journal: J Geriatr Phys Ther Date: 2015 Jan-Mar Impact factor: 3.381
Authors: Susan Kelly Damião do Rego E Silva Andrade; Maria Clara Silva de Melo; Bartolomeu Fagundes de Lima; Fábio Henrique de Gobbi Porto; Vanessa Giffoni de Medeiros Nunes Pinheiro Peixoto; Juliana Maria Gazzola Journal: Dement Neuropsychol Date: 2020-12