Complex and Simple Clinical Reaction Times Are Associated with Gait, Balance, and Major Fall Injury in Older Subjects with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The aim of this work was to identify relationships between complex and simple clinical measures of reaction time (RTclin) and indicators of balance in older subjects with and without diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).

Design

Prospective cohort design. Complex RTclin accuracy, simple RTclin latency, and their ratio were determined using a novel device in 42 subjects (mean ± SD age, 69.1 ± 8.3 yrs), 26 with DPN and 16 without. Dependent variables included unipedal stance time (UST), step width variability and range on an uneven surface, and major fall-related injury over 12 months.

Results

In the DPN subjects, the ratio of complex RTclin accuracy to simple RTclin latency was strongly associated with longer UST (R/P = 0.653/0.004), and decreased step width v

SUBMITTER: Richardson JK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5161564 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature