Does Pulmonary Rehabilitation Improve Balance in People With Respiratory Disease?

Standing balance was measured using a force plate (AMTI, Watertown, MA, USA) from which centre of pressure (COP) trajectories were derived at a sampling frequency of 100Hz. Participants stood on the force plate during the following two conditions: normal stance (feet hip-width apart) with eyes open and eyes closed.

Dynamic balance was measured using the timed up and go (TUG) and Four Square Step Test (FSST). For the TUG, the time taken for the subject to stand from a chair, walk 3 m, turn around and return to the chair was recorded {Podsiadlo, 1991 #31}. Subjects were asked to do this as quickly and safely as possible. High test-retest reliability of the TUG has been reported in older community-dwelling individuals {Steffen, 2002 #34}. In the FSST, subjects were asked to step to four corners of a square in a clockwise and then counter-clockwise direction as quickly as possible {Dite, 2002 #1181}. The time taken to complete this circuit was recorded. This test has been shown to have high inter-rater and test-retest reliability {Dite, 2002 #1181}.

Standing balance was measured using a force plate (AMTI, Watertown, MA, USA) from which centre of pressure (COP) trajectories were derived at a sampling frequency of 100Hz. Participants stood on the force plate during the following two conditions: normal stance (feet hip-width apart) with eyes open and eyes closed.

Standing balance was measured using a force plate (AMTI, Watertown, MA, USA) from which centre of pressure (COP) trajectories were derived at a sampling frequency of 100Hz. Participants stood on the force plate during the following two conditions: normal stance (feet hip-width apart) with eyes open and eyes closed.

Activity-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale measures balance confidence during sixteen activities of progressive difficulty, such as going up and down stairs, reaching for objects and walking in crowded areas {Powell, 1995 #5}. It asks subjects to rate their level of confidence in performing an activity without losing balance on an 11-point scale ranging from 0% (no confidence) to 100% (completely confident). The score is calculated as the average score for each item. This questionnaire has been shown to be sensitive to detect changes in function following rehabilitation {Myers, 1998 #6} and has proven internal consistency and test-retest reliability {Powell, 1995 #5}.

The Falls Efficacy Scale International (FESI) assesses fear of falling during a range of physical and social activities {Yardley, 2005 #1}. It asks about an individual's concern about the possibility of following during participation in sixteen common activities, such as cleaning the house, ascending and descending stairs and walking in various environmental conditions. Answers range from 1, "not at all" concerned, to 4, "very" concerned, on a 4-point scale, and score is calculated as the average response. This questionnaire has been shown to have excellent internal and test-retest reliability {Yardley, 2005 #1}.

The COPD Self-Efficacy Scale evaluates level of confidence in ability to manage or avoid breathing difficulty during a range of situations such as feeling frustrated and lifting heavy objects {Wigal, 1991 #3}. Possible answers range from "very confident" (5 points) to "not at all confident" (1 point) and the average score per question is calculated. This scale has been shown to have excellent internal consistency and good test-retest reliability.