Wipawan Chewwasung. The correlation between reaction time and berg balance score in elderly Thai women with different lifestyle activities . Master's Degree(Physiotherapy). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2003.
The correlation between reaction time and berg balance score in elderly Thai women with different lifestyle activities
Abstract:
This study aimed to determine the reaction time (RT), Berg balance score (BBS) and the relationship between the RT and BBS in elderly Thai women with different lifestyle activities. One hundred and nineteen females aged 60 to 90 year old were recruited in this study. Subjects were divided into two age groups: 60-74 year old (group 1) and 75-90 year old (group 2). Each subject was classified according to three levels of activity: high (A), moderate (B), and low (C). Thus, the subjects were totally divided into 6 groups as A1, B1, C1, A2, B2, and C2. The parameters consisted of: visual response of the dominant leg (VDL); visual response of the non-dominant leg (VNDL), tactile response of the dominant leg (TDL); tactile response of the nondominant leg (TNDL); and Berg balance score (BBS). The results showed no significant difference in any RT between different lifestyle activities within either age group. As for those of similar lifestyle activity but of a different age group, there was a significant difference in VDL between B1 and B2 (p<0.05). There were significant differences in BBS between A1 and C1 (p<0.05), B1 and C1 (p<0.05), and between A2 and C2 (p<0.05). In the different age groups, there were significant differences in BBS between B1 and B2, and between C1 and C2. Only in the C2 group was observed a significant correlation between slow VDL and low BBS (p<0.05). In conclusion, the different lifestyle activities have no influence on any reaction time but have effect on postural balance performance. It is shown that low lifestyle activity leads to poor balance performance. Age difference affects reaction time, particularly in the 75-90 year old age group with moderate lifestyle activity. In addition, age difference has an effect on balance performance, especially in the 75-90 year old age group with moderate and low lifestyle activities. Moreover, among members of this age group with low lifestyle activity, there is a correlation between slow VDL and low postural balance performance. Thus, the elderly should maintain the lifestyle activity as a high level and perform it carefully in order to keep good postural balance and, consequently, decrease their chances of falling down