The relationship between postural stability and the occurrence of falls in patients with osteoporosis

Introduction: Falls prevention in the elderly is one of the most difficult tasks in medicine and represents a considerable challenge for modern physiotherapy. Important seems to be the answer to the question, whether there is any objective measurement allowing with a high efficiency to diagnose persons at the risk of falls. The aim of this study was to determine whether there are differences between fallers and non-fallers with osteoporosis and determine whether stabliographic test can be the basis of qualifications for the fall prevention programs. Material and methods: Postural stability was conducted among 33 women. Subjects were divided based into two groups. Test group (Group U) included women who have experienced at least one fall in the last year. The control group (Group K) were women who did not suffer an fall incident in the last year. Postural stability was tested using a force plate. Two series of tests were performed: with eyes open and with eyes close. Results: In the open and closed eye tests a significant difference was shown between the fallers and the control group in almost all CoP parameters analyzed. Conclusion: Elderly fallers with osteoporosis show poorer postural stability, both in the study with the eyes open and with the eyes closed. Stabliographic platform can fulfill a diagnostic functions to qualify elderly for fall prevention programs.