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Evaluation of balance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with practical tests
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  • Onur Yazici,
  • Emel Ceylan,
  • Senay Demir Yazici,
  • Sule Tas Gulen
Onur Yazici
Adnan Menderes University School of Medicine

Corresponding Author:dronur_yazici@hotmail.com

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Emel Ceylan
Adnan Menderes University School of Medicine
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Senay Demir Yazici
Atatürk State Hospital
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Sule Tas Gulen
Adnan Menderes University School of Medicine
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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.
10 Oct 2020Submitted to International Journal of Clinical Practice
11 Oct 2020Submission Checks Completed
11 Oct 2020Assigned to Editor
14 Oct 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
30 Oct 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
28 Nov 20201st Revision Received
28 Nov 2020Submission Checks Completed
28 Nov 2020Assigned to Editor
30 Nov 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
01 Dec 2020Editorial Decision: Accept