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Comparative Study
. 2016 Jul-Aug;82(4):433-41.
doi: 10.1016/j.bjorl.2015.08.023. Epub 2015 Dec 23.

Evaluation of postural balance in mild cognitive impairment through a three-dimensional electromagnetic system

Ana Paula Oliveira Borges  1 , José Ailton Oliveira Carneiro  2 , José Eduardo Zaia  3 , Antonio Adilton Oliveira Carneiro  4 , Osvaldo Massaiti Takayanagui  5
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Evaluation of postural balance in mild cognitive impairment through a three-dimensional electromagnetic system

Ana Paula Oliveira Borges et al. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2016 Jul-Aug.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Introduction: Elderly people with cognitive impairment are at greater risk for falls; thus, an understanding of the earliest stages of cognitive decline is necessary.

Objective: To compare postural balance between elderly people with and without mild cognitive impairment using a three-dimensional system.

Methods: Thirty elderly people with mild cognitive impairment and thirty healthy elderly subjects were selected. Static posturography was performed using three-dimensional electromagnetic equipment and the following parameters were evaluated: maximum displacement, mean speed and total trajectory. Open- and closed-eye stabilometric variable comparisons between groups and within each group were carried out, and a relationship between the Mini Mental State Examination and the total trajectory of all elderly subjects was determined.

Results: The analysis among open- and closed-eye conditions showed a significant difference in maximum anteroposterior displacement in the control group and a significant difference in all stabilometric variables in the mild cognitive impairment group. A significant difference between the groups in all variables in the closed-eye condition was observed. There was a strong correlation between cognitive performance and total trajectory.

Conclusion: Evaluations showed decrease in balance in elderly people with mild cognitive impairment. Presence of anteroposterior displacement can be an early sign of postural control impairment, and the evaluation with visual restriction can be useful in detecting small postural instabilities.

Introdução: Idosos com alteração cognitiva apresentam maior risco de quedas; assim, é importante compreender as primeiras fases do declínio cognitivo.

Objetivo: Comparar o equilíbrio corporal entre idosos com e sem comprometimento cognitivo leve através de um sistema tridimensional.

Método: Trinta idosos com comprometimento cognitivo leve e 30 idosos saudáveis foram selecionados. A posturografia estática foi realizada utilizando equipamento eletromagnético tridimensional, e foram avaliados os parâmetros deslocamento máximo, velocidade média e trajetória total. Foi realizada comparação das variáveis estabilométricas com olho aberto e olho fechado intragrupo e intergrupos, e foi estabelecida a relação entre o Mini Exame do Estado Mental e a trajetória total de todos os idosos.

Resultados: A análise entre olho aberto e olho fechado no grupo de controle evidenciou uma diferença significativa no deslocamento anteroposterior máximo; no grupo com comprometimento cognitivo leve, houve diferença significativa em todas as variáveis estabilométricas. Foi observada diferença significativa entre os grupos em todas as variáveis na condição de olho fechado. Houve forte correlação entre desempenho cognitivo e trajetória total.

Conclusão: As avaliações evidenciaram diminuição do equilíbrio nos idosos com comprometimento cognitivo leve. O deslocamento anteroposterior pode ser um sinal precoce de comprometimento do controle postural, e a avaliação com restrição visual pode ser útil na detecção de pequenas instabilidades posturais.

Keywords: Comprometimento cognitivo leve; Elderly; Equilíbrio postural; Idoso; Mild cognitive impairment; Postural balance; Privação sensorial; Sensory deprivation.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Location of electromagnetic sensors. Tx, transmitter and three-plane representation. S1, sacral region. Adapted from Carneiro et al.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Statokinesiogram from a healthy elderly and of another with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A, open (OE) and B, closed (CE) eyes in anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) direction.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Stabilogram from a healthy elderly and from one with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Open eyes (OE) in an anteroposterior (AP) direction. B, open eyes (OE) in a mediolateral (ML) direction. C, eyes closed (EC) in an anteroposterior (AP) direction. D, eyes closed (EC) in a mediolateral (ML) direction.
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