The effect of spinomed orthosis on risk of falling in elderly patients with spinal hyperkyphosis

Background : Falls in the elderly are common and are associated with appreciable morbidity and mortality. Hyperkyphosis is a risk factor for balance impairment and postural instability. Increased forward curvature of the spine displaces the center of mass anteriorly towards the limits of stability, and thus increases the likelihood of loss of balance and predisposes persons to fall. The orthoses are an option for decreasing the risk of falling in elderly population however, the quantitative evidence to support their application is not convincing. The purpose of this study is to analysis the effects of spinomed orthosis on risk of falling of elderly people with spinal hyperkyphosis. Materials & Methods : 18 elderly people with mean age 65.96 ± 4.4 who had thoracic kyphosis of ≥ 50 (cobb angle) were enrolled in the study. Subjects were randomly allocated into either spinomed orthosis or control group. Patients were randomly subjected to computerized dynamic posturography, which contained sensory organization tests and limits of stability. The tests for each person were conducted in two conditions: while wearing and not wearing the orthosis and the order of testing within a patient was randomized. Results : Wearing spinomed orthosis significantly increased balance score (p<0.0001) and directional control (p<0.032). Also, significant difference in balance score (p