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. 2022 Jan 1;7(1):10.
doi: 10.3390/geriatrics7010010.

The Impact of Pain on Functionality, Postural Control and Fall Risk in Woman Aged 45 to 64 Years Old

Priscilla Beaupré  1 , Rubens A da Silva  1   2   3   4   5 , Tommy Chevrette  1   3   6
Affiliations

The Impact of Pain on Functionality, Postural Control and Fall Risk in Woman Aged 45 to 64 Years Old

Priscilla Beaupré et al. Geriatrics (Basel). .

Abstract

Background: Ageing in women is associated with chronic degenerative pain leading to a functional decrease and therefore increase fall risk. It is therefore essential to detect early functional decreases in the presence of pain related to osteoarthritis.

Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the impact of pain on functionality, postural control and fall risk in women aged between 45 to 64 years old.

Methods: Twenty-one (21) women aged 45 to 64 were evaluated by clinical and functional measures such as a pain questionnaire (Lequesne Index), functional tests (Stair Step Test, 5 times sit-to-stand, 6MWD, Timed-up and Go) and postural performance (under force platform). Women were classified into 2 groups from the Lequesne Pain Index (PI): low pain (score ≤ 9) and strong pain (score ≥ 10) for subsequent comparisons on functionality (physical and postural control performance).

Results: A significant impact was observed between the pain index (strong PI) and 3 of the 4 functional tests carried out including Stair Step Test (p = 0.001; g = 1.44), walking distance (p = 0.003; g = 1.31) and Timed-up and Go (p = 0.04; g = -0.93). The group with a strong PI score reported further poor postural control under force platform compared to the weak pain group.

Conclusion: Pain and severity based on the PI index negatively modulate physical and postural control performance in women aged 45 to 64 years old.

Keywords: aging; hip; osteoarthritis; pain; woman.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Force plateform and COP measurement. Instrument for measuring with a force platform (BIOMEC400, EMG System do Brasil, Ltda.) (a); and postural control measurements based Pressure Center parameter: COP (elliptical area of the COP, frequency and velocity in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions (b). Postural control tasks with a standardized protocol in bipodal (c) and semi-tandem (d) postures using leg preference in front.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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