Features of the relationship between postural balance indicators and heart rate variability in elderly women with falls syndrome

Objective - The goal of our study was to establish the relationship between the postural balance and heart rate variability (HRV) in elderly women with the falls syndrome. Material and Methods - The study was conducted on120 women aged 60-74 YO. The study group included women with the falls syndrome who experienced two or more falls during the year (n=60), while the comparison group consisted of women without falls (n=60). Postural balance assessment was performed via the computerized stabilometric complex Balance Master (R), NeuroCom, Natus Medical, USA. The state of autonomic nervous system was assessed by cardiointervalography using the VNS-Spectrum computer appliance Results - The matrix of intersystem correlations between indicators of postural balance and HRV in women with the falls syndrome was characterized by a small number of statistically significant correlations (6.25%). Same was true for the control group (10.85%). The correlations were noted in the Sit to Stand, Tandem Walk, and Step Up and Over tests in elderly women with the falls syndrome, while in the control group, they were observed only in the Step Quick Turn test. Conclusion - Features of the relationship between postural balance indicators and HRV in elderly women with the falls syndrome were characterized by a worse coordination of intersystem interactions of HRV indicators with indicators of the performance quality of complex motor acts and power indicators of postural balance, as compared with the elderly women without falls syndrome.