Assessment of Strength, Coordination and Balance in Patients with Moderate to Severe Copd

Abstract

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disorder of the lungs in which there is obstruction in the airway leading to difficulty in breathing leading to difficulty in performing daily activities. To perform functional activities of daily living one requires Strength, Balance and coordination of movement. But these components of activities of daily living have not been studied enough related to COPD in India.

Objective: To assess strength, coordination & balance in patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methodology: Comparative study in which 30 participants were recruited by convenient sampling. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, in group A, 15 participants with COPD, whereas in group B, 15 age sex matched normal healthy participants were taken. Five times sit to stand test, Berg Balance Scale and toe tap test were used to assess lower limb muscle strength, balance and lower limb co-ordination, respectively.

Result: COPD participants shows significant difference in Berg Balance Scale (P 0.00), Toe Tap Test (P 0.00), and five times sit to stand (P 0.00), when compared to age matched normal healthy participants.

Conclusion: Highly statistically significant differences were seen in balance, strength and co-ordination