Evaluation of balance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with
practical tests
Abstract
Introduction: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
have impaired balance and hence fall more frequently. Easy application
of balance evaluation tests can prevent the loss of time in the
outpatient clinic for patients with COPD. Therefore, we compared the
effectiveness of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) test, a relatively more
recommended but time-consuming test, with easy-to-perform tests such as
the Single Leg Stance (SLS), Five Repetition Sit to Stand (5STS), Four
Step Square (FSS), and Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests. Methods: A total of
71 patients with COPD and 70 control subjects with matching demographic
characteristics were included in the study. All patients undertook
pulmonary function tests and their scores of 6-min walk-test (6MWT),
modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, COPD assessment
questionnaire (CAT), and body mass index (B) were recorded. In addition,
the severity of airway obstruction (O), the dyspnea severity (D), and
exercise capacity (E) (BODE) index scores were measured. All patients
with COPD were classified into 4 groups, A to D, based on the GOLD 2017
criteria. All subjects undertook the BBS, SLS, 5STS, Four Step Square
Test, and TUG tests. Results: Balance tests revealed increased balance
impairment in patients with COPD in comparison with the control subjects
(P < 0.05). The BBS, SLS, Four Step Square Test (FSST), and
TUG examinations suggested that balance impairment was frequent in
Groups C and D patients with COPD (P < 0.05). TUG and FSST had
the highest correlation with BBS (r = −0.812 and −0.842 and P
<0.001 and <0.001, respectively). The results of TUG
and FSST were the closest to those of BBS test. Conclusions: TUG and
FSST tests can be applied for the assessment of bodily balance status
among patients with COPD in outpatient clinics.