ANALYSIS OF THE BALANCE AND FUNCTIONALITY OF THE ELDERLY IN TIMES OF PANDEMIC: BEHAVIORAL AND BIOMECHANICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PHYSICAL REHABILITATION.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to analyze balance control and functional mobility characteristics in older adults with varying levels of concern about falling after home confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: One hundred community-dwelling older adults aged 60-80 years (both genders) underwent assessment of postural sway velocity and sensory integration using the NeuroCom VSR Sport force platform and Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration and Balance (mCTSIB). Functional mobility was evaluated with the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) using the BTS G-Walk inertial sensor, which measured the time to complete the test. Concern about falling was quantified using the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I). To compare outcomes between groups categorized as having low, moderate, and high concern about falling, one-way ANOVA was utilized. Results: Of the 100 participants, 33 displayed low, 47 moderate, and 20 high concern about falling based on FES-I scores. No significant differences were found in balance performance on the mCTSIB or functional mobility per the TUG across groups (p>0.05). However, the low concern group exhibited lower TUG times compared to the moderate and high concern groups. Conclusion: Home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic did not impair balance control or functional mobility in these older adults, regardless of their level of concern about falling.