Citation

Takatori K, Matsumoto D. PM R 2015; 7(10): 1059-1063.

Affiliation

Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Science, Kio University, 4-2-2, Umami-naka, Koryo, Kitakatsuragi-gun, Nara, Japan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.pmrj.2015.04.006

PMID

25886824

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationships between toe elevation ability in the standing position and dynamic balance and fall risk among community-dwelling older adults.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: General community. PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling older adults (N=287). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Toe elevation angles in the standing position.

RESULTS: Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of measurements of the toe elevation angle was high (internal coefficient of correlation (ICC (1,2)=0.94 for the former and ICC (2,1)=0.90 for the latter). Significant correlations were found between the toe elevation angle and age (r=-0.20, P<.01), 5 m walking time (r=-0.31, P<.01), Functional Reach Test (r=0.36, P<.01), Timed Up and Go Test (r=-0.36, P<.01), and chair stand test (r=0.26, P<0.01). Subjects who experienced a fall in the previous 6 months had a significantly lower toe elevation angle than those who did not (t=2.19, P<.05 ). Multiple regression analysis revealed that results of the Functional Reach Test (β=.22, P<.001) and Timed Up and Go Test (β=-0.74, P<.001) were significantly associated with the toe elevation angle.

CONCLUSIONS: Toe elevation angle was an index of dynamic balance ability and appears to be a simple screening test for fall risk in community-dwelling older adults.

Language: en