Effects of age and disease in COPD postural balance

COPD patients are susceptible to falls due to balance deficits; however, the sensory impairments due to age or disease remain poorly known. Aim: To investigate the effect of aging and pulmonary disease on the balance in COPD patients in sensory impairment conditions. Methods: 30 COPD patients (64±8 yrs; FEV 1 39±14 %predicted), 30 healthy adults matched for gender and age (64±8 yrs) and 30 young controls (25±5 yrs) were submitted to a computerized dynamic posturography. The assessment of balance control was conducted in four distinct sensory conditions: open eyes-fixed surface, closed eyes-fixed surface, open eyes-sway surface and closed eyes-sway surface. The variables evaluated were: maximal amplitude from the centre of pressure (COPamp), mean velocity of the path of the centre of pressure (COPvm) and COP asymmetry, all in the anteroposterior direction. ANOVA 3-way test was used for comparison among groups. Results: COPD patients had a worse balance compared to the healthy adult and young controls in sway surface in COPamp (8.7±3.8cm, 8.0±4cm and 6.2±3cm, respectively; p Conclusion: COPD patients have more instability in the anteroposterior direction in sensory impairment conditions as a result of age and disease, which implies a greater possibility of falling and suggests the need to therapeutic changes.