Instrumentos de avaliação do equilíbrio e sua relação com a predição de quedas em idosos

Abstract

Balance alterations are one of the most important physiologic changes related to ageing and are responsible for falls and postural instability, being one of the indicators of frailty leading to functional disability and dependency. The current study aimed to analyze, through a literature review, which of the balance assessment instruments can better predict falls among community-dwelling elderly. A review of studies published since 2005 was done at the following database: MedLine/Pubmed, SciELO, PEDro, LILACS e Google scholar. A research at CAPES database was also done. The following descriptors were used: aged and falls and balance measurement. From the 709 studies, 12 met the inclusion criteria. All the balance assessment instruments described in this revision, except the Taden posture isolated, were able to predict falls among community-dwelling elderly. At clinical practice the use of these instruments in a combined way is important to better evaluate balance, since each one has its particularities and limitations, also taking in account personal, physical and environmental characteristics to avoid the occurrence of these adverse events.