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Association between musculoskeletal function and postural balance in patients with long‐lasting dizziness. A cross‐sectional study
Author(s) -
Haukanes Linda,
Knapstad Mari Kalland,
Kristiansen Lene,
Magnussen Liv Heide
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
physiotherapy research international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.509
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1471-2865
pISSN - 1358-2267
DOI - 10.1002/pri.1916
Subject(s) - balance (ability) , posturography , physical medicine and rehabilitation , medicine , physical therapy , flexibility (engineering) , cross sectional study , association (psychology) , eyes open , dynamic balance , musculoskeletal pain , psychology , statistics , physics , mathematics , pathology , quantum mechanics , psychotherapist
Abstract Background and purpose Reduced balance and musculoskeletal pain are frequently reported among patients with long‐lasting dizziness. However, the association between musculoskeletal function and postural sway among these patients has not been examined. The objective of this study was to examine if there is an association between aspects of musculoskeletal function and postural balance in patients with long‐lasting dizziness. Methods This was a cross‐sectional study, using data of 105 outpatients with long‐lasting dizziness. Aspects of musculoskeletal function was assessed by examining body flexibility, grip strength, preferred and fast walking speed, in addition to musculoskeletal pain. Musculoskeletal pain was evaluated using the Subjective Health Complaints questionnaire. Postural balance was assessed by path length of postural sway by using a balance platform on both firm and soft surfaces, with eyes open and closed. The association between musculoskeletal function and postural sway was assessed using linear regression analyses. Results When adjusting for age and gender we found that on a firm surface, there was an association between increased musculoskeletal pain and increased postural sway measured with eyes open ( p = 0.038). In addition, there was an association between decreased body flexibility and decreased postural sway with eyes open ( p = 0.025). On a soft surface, decreased fast walking speed was associated with increased postural sway with eyes open ( p = 0.027). In addition, decreased grip strength was associated with increased postural sway on a soft surface with eyes closed ( p = 0.015). Discussion The findings from this study imply that musculoskeletal function may associate with postural sway in patients with long‐lasting dizziness, although the associations were weak.