EFFECT OF AGING ON COMPONENTS OF BALANCE EVALUATION SYSTEM TEST (BESTest)

Abstract

Background: Current available standardized clinical balance assessment tools are used for screening. BESTest helps us identify the specific system that might be responsible for balance dysfunction with aging.
Methods: An observational single point cross-sectional study. Healthy subjects (N=120) Young age group (20-40 yrs),Middle age group (41-60 yrs), Old age group (61-80yrs). Quota sampling. Total BESTest score and a Total score of each of 6 components of BESTest were compared across the three age groups.
Results: Non- parametric Kruskall Wallis test. Post hoc test study of Total BEST Score H=48.88 (p value <0.0001) showed a significant difference in young adult as compared to Middle aged adult (p value <0.001) and older adults (p value <0.001). Similar post hoc test study with a P value < 0.0001 were observed in biomechanical constraint H=32.10,Stability limits or Verticality H=25.11 and Anticipatory control score H=19.83. Post study of reactive postural response H=41.17 and Sensory Orientation H=28.14 (p value <0.0001) showed a significant difference in Older adults as compared with Young Adults and Middle age adults. Post Study of Stability in Gait H=51.00 (p value=0.0001) showed
significant difference across the three age group.
Conclusion: Total BEST score and three balance components start getting impaired by middle age. Reactive postural responses and sensory orientation diminish in older adults. Stability in gait shows a steady decline with aging. Our study concludes that middle age is critical aging and changes start appearing by middle age. Future studies are needed to observe the effect of an exercise program designed to target specific component of BESTest.