Effect of Sensory Integrity and Cognitive Functions on Fall History, Balance and Quality of Life in Elderly Individuals

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study is to examine the effects of sensory integrity and cognitive functions on fall history, balance and quality of life in elderly individuals.

Materials and Methods After obtaining the sociodemographic information of the elderly individuals included in the study; Pattern Copying, Kinesthesia and Right-Left Discrimination, which is a subtest of the Ayres Southern California Sensory Integrity Test to evaluate sensory integrity, the Standing Balance Test for balance abilities, the Hodkinson Mental Test for cognitive abilities, the history of falling in the last year for fall situations, and the EuroQol General Quality of Life Scale (EQ-5D-3L) were used to assess the quality of life and life satisfaction.

Results The study involved 44 volunteers with a mean age of 69.52±4.25 years. Cognitive ability, standing balance, and life satisfaction of elderly individuals with a fall history were worse than those without a fall history. The study also found that cognition and life satisfaction were affected by fall history. Older individuals who were more successful in pattern copying had better balance. A moderate correlation was found between cognitive ability and pattern copying (r=0.591), balance (rdominant=0.385; rnondominant=0.403), and quality of life (r=−0.399) (p<0.05).

Conclusion The results suggest that elderly individuals need sensory integration and cognitively supportive treatment approaches to improve balance functions and reduce fall risk.

Zusammenfassung

Ziele Ziel der Studie war es, den Einfluss von sensorischer Integration und kognitiven Funktionen auf die Sturzanamnese, das Gleichgewicht und die Lebensqualität älterer Personen zu untersuchen.

Methoden Nach Erhebung der soziodemografischen Daten der in die Studie aufgenommenen älteren Personen wurden zur Erfassung von Lebensqualität und Lebenszufriedenheit die folgenden Untersuchungen durchgeführt: Musterkopieren, Kinästhesie und Rechts-Links-Diskriminierung (ein Untertest des Ayres Southern California Sensory Integration Tests zur Prüfung der sensorischen Integration), der Einbeinstand zur Prüfung der Standsicherheit, der Hodkinson Mental Test zur Prüfung der kognitiven Fähigkeiten, die Sturzanamnese für das letzte Jahr hinsichtlich Sturzsituationen und der von der EuroQoL-Arbeitsgruppe entwickelte Fragebogen EQ-5D-3L zur Bestimmung der gesundheitsbezogenen Lebensqualität.

Ergebnisse An der Studie nahmen 44 Freiwillige teil; das mittlere Alter betrug 69,52±4,25 Jahre. Die kognitiven Fähigkeiten, die Standsicherheit und die Lebenszufriedenheit der älteren Personen mit Sturz in der Vorgeschichte waren schlechter als die von Personen ohne Sturz. Ein weiteres Ergebnis der Studie war, dass Kognition und Lebenszufriedenheit negativ mit Sturz in der Vorgeschichte assoziiert waren. Das Gleichgewicht war besser bei älteren Personen, den das Musterkopieren besser gelang. Es fand sich eine mittelstarke Korrelation zwischen kognitiven Fähigkeiten und dem Kopieren von Mustern (r=0,591), dem Gleichgewicht (rdominant=0,385; rnondominant=0,403) und der Lebensqualität (r=−0,399) (p<0,05).

Schlussfolgerung Die Ergebnisse weisen darauf hin, dass bei älteren Personen sensorische Integration und kognitiv unterstützende Behandlungsansätze zur Verbesserung des Gleichgewichts und Senkung des Sturzrisikos angezeigt sind.

Keywords

Ayres Emotional Integrity - Fall - Hodkinson Mental Test - Quality of life - Elderly individuals

Schlüsselwörter

emotionale Integration nach Ayres - Sturz - Hodkinson Mental Test - Lebensqualität - ältere Personen

Publication History

Received: 16 February 2024

Accepted: 26 June 2024

Article published online:
24 July 2024

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