The Structure of Static-Dynamic Disorders in Elderly Patients

Abstract

Static-dynamic disorders are very common among elderly patients and seriously affect their quality of life. These disorders involve disturbances in balance, posture, and locomotion and are usually linked to aging processes in the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. With the development of age, reduction of muscle strength, sensory perception, and motor control contributes to the beginning of these disorders and influences the possibility of independent performance of everyday activities. Moreover, chronic ailments such as osteoarthritis, Parkinson's disease, and stroke further worsen this static-dynamic impairment cycle.

This study aims to identify structural and contributing factors for disorders of static-dynamic in a cohort of elderly patients. We designed a cross-sectional study including three health institutions. In it, 150 patients participated in the sample and completed standardized clinical measures, which measured the level of postural instability and gait dysfunction by BBS, the TUG test, and postural sway analysis. Besides this, demographic data, medical history, and lifestyle factors were collected to identify the key determinants of static-dynamic disorders in this population.

The most common types of static-dynamic disorders that were detected included postural instability, gait disturbances, and balance deficits. In total, 84% of the subjects manifested at least one form of static-dynamic disorder. Postural instability was identified in 45% of patients, followed by gait disturbances at 30%, and balance deficits at 25%. These disorders were more severe among patients who had been suffering from chronic diseases such as hypertension, osteoarthritis, and neurological diseases. Among these, advanced age, low levels of physical activity, and assistive device use were mentioned as the main risk factors, significantly linked with the appearance and development of the severity of static-dynamic disorders.

Such a presentation emphases the early identification and selective intervention to increase patients' outcomes and consequently reduces the injuries related to falling. Early identification can easily enable timely intervention through the periodic screening programs, which decrease severe complications. Physical activities consisting of balance training, muscle exercises, and flexibility exercises particularly help the elderly; interventions have been proved in communities, leading to a reduced incidence of falls and an enhancement of mobility.

Such strategies for rehabilitation are far from being effective, and it is for this reason that further research in the area is highly recommended. In prospective directions of research, long-term treatment effects should be examined according to specific programs of prevention and treatment of static-dynamic disorders. Moreover, the relations of lifestyle factors and chronic diseases with the onset of static-dynamic disorders can be determined through longitudinal studies. Such evidence could give direction to evidence-based guidelines in the management and prevention of static-dynamic disorders among elderly patients.