Assessing postural balance for predicting falls in individuals with Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A prospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Individuals with severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) have a higher risk of falls while performing physical activities; however, assessments to distinguish who falls are lacking.

Objective

To assess postural balance under challenging conditions to discriminate individuals who experience a fall.

Methods

Patients with moderate to very severe COPD were recruited and performed postural balance assessment. The centre of pressure (COP) was measured using a force platform under different conditions: at rest, post-effort, semi-tandem, and semi-tandem+post-effort. Individuals received a fall diary and were monitored during six months by phone calls. After the follow-up period, patients who experienced a fall were included in the Falls Group (FG) and t

SUBMITTER: Verri BATA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12765095 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan-Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature