Comparison of processing speed, balance, mobility and fear of falling between hypertensive and normotensive individuals

Isılay Ozaldemir, Gozde Iyigun, Mehtap Malkoc, Isılay Ozaldemir, Gozde Iyigun, Mehtap Malkoc

Abstract

Background: Hypertension (HT) contributes substantially to poor physical function, cognitive dysfunction, cardiovascular problems and to all-cause mortality. Performance in activities requiring attention, speed and coordination might also be affected in individuals with HT.

Objective: This study compared the processing speed, static and dynamic balance, functional mobility and fear of falling between individuals with hypertension (HT group) and normotensive individuals (NT group).

Methods: One-hundred and twenty-eight individuals were included: NT group (n = 64) and HT group (n = 64). The Choice Stepping Reaction Time Test was used for the evaluation of processing speed, Single Leg Stance test for static balance evaluation, "Y" Balance Test for dynamic balance evaluation, Timed Up and Go test with single and dual tasking for the evaluation of functional mobility and Falls Efficacy Scale for assessing fear of falling.

Results: The processing speed of the HT group was slower than that of the NT group; the total response time (RsT) in Stepping Reaction Test (SRT) (mean difference [MD] = -0.2, 95% CI = -0.3, 0), and Stroop Test (ST) [ST-A (MD = -0.4, 95% CI = -0.5, -0.2), ST-B (MD = -0.5, 95% CI = -0.7, -0.2) and ST-C (MD = -0.6, 95% CI = -0.8, -0.3). Additionally, the static [single leg stance, eyes open, right side (MD = 12.7, 95% CI = 6.3, 19.0) and left side (MD = 13.6, 95% CI = 7.2, 19.9)] and dynamic balance [Y balance test, composite score, right lower extremity (MD = 8.5, 95% CI = 4.4, 12.5) and left lower extremity (MD = 5.2, 95% CI = 1.5, 8.8) scores of the HT group were lower than those of the NT group. The HT group required a longer time to complete the functional mobility test measured with Timed Up And Go Test during both single task (MD = -0.8, 95% CI = -1.1, -0.4), cognitive dual task (MD = -1.5, 95% CI = -2.4, -0.5) and manual dual task (MD = -0.9, 95% CI = -1.3, -0.4) in comparison to the NT group. Also, the HT group had higher levels of fear of falling (MD = -7.6, 95% CI = -10.9, -4.2).

Conclusion: Hypertensive individuals present slower processing speed, reduced static and dynamic balance, decreased functional mobility and higher fear of falling in comparison to normotensive individuals.

Keywords: Blood pressure; Dual task; Falling; Reaction time; Rehabilitation.

Copyright © 2019 Associação Brasileira de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação em Fisioterapia. Publicado por Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A) A custom-made Choice Stepping Reaction Time step pad (CSRT-MAT). B) An example screen for Choice Stepping Reaction Time (CSRT) measurement. Each panel on the mat contains a switch that could be read by the controlling computer software. Participants stand on the 2 central stance panels and respond (step) to stimuli presented on the computer display screen. One of four arrows on the screen changes its color to blue and the participant is asked to step as quickly as possible onto the same location of the pad, for example a front left step as shown in this figure.

Source: PubMed

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