A Comparative Study of the Relationship between Low Back Pain and Knee Pain with the Dynamic Balance of the Elderly Living in Nursing Homes in Mashhad

Abstract

Objectives: Balance disorder is an important risk factor in elderly people falling while walking. Knee pain and low back pain are the most common disorders related to aging that disturb the balance of the elderly. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between chronic low back pain and chronic knee pain with dynamic balance in the elderly. Methods & Materials: In this analytical cross-sectional study using the census method, 79 elderly people aged 65 years and older living in a nursing home in Mashhad were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study. In addition to measuring demographic information, fear of falling was assessed with the Persian version of Falls Efficacy Scale - International (FES-I) and pain was assessed with a visual Analog Scale (VAS). To assess dynamic balance, the Time Up and Go (TUG) test was taken from the participants. Data analysis was done with SPSS23 software. Results: There was a significant difference between the three groups of the elderly in the values of the balance test (p=0.050). With the increase in the fear of falling questionnaire score, the average values of the balance test increased significantly (p=0.01). With increasing age, the average values of the balance test increased significantly (p=0.006). Conclusions: Dynamic balance was poorer in the elderly with chronic knee pain than in the elderly with chronic low back pain. Therefore, focusing on the prevention and treatment of knee injuries at younger ages will play an important role in preventing balance disturbances in the elderly.