背景與目的:頭暈和不平衡是老年人常見的問題,本研究之目的在探討有眩暈問題的老人是否比健康老人呈現更大的平衡問題。方法:有16位老年頭暈患者及16位健康老人參與本研究,受試者靜止站在力板上測試4項站立平衡動作:靜止站立睜眼與閉眼,雙足靠緊站立(Romberg)睜眼與閉眼。並計算出足底壓力中心(COP)的途徑長度(Traj),根均方值(root-mean-square)及最大位移範圍(peak-to-peak range of displacement),此外亦將Romberg中閉眼之COP Traj除以睜眼的,以求得Romberg Quotient(RQ)來探討移除視覺對站立平衡的效果。結果:病人的COP普遍有顯著的大於健康老人,尤其在前後方向的COP動作的控制上。此外,RQ在病人也是顯著的大於健康老人。結論:年老的頭暈病人比健康老人有更嚴重的站立平衡問題,因此臨床上在處理此類患者時應包含平衡功能的訓練,並告知維持平衡的注意事項。
Background and Purpose: Dizziness and imbalance are common problems facing older adults. This study examined postural stability of a group of unspecific older dizzy patients. Methods: Sixteen older dizzy patients and 16 healthy older adults participated in this study. The subjects performed four standing task on a force platform: quiet standing with eyes open and closed, and Romberg standing with eyes open and closed. The COP motion, in terms of trajectory, root-mean-square and peak-to-peak range of displacement, was calculated to represent postural stability. Romberg Quotient was calculated by dividing COP trajectory in Romberg Standing Eyes Closed by Eyes Open to demonstrate the effect of removal of visual input. Results: When compared to age-matched healthy older adults, the patient group showed significantly greater COP motion, especially antero-posteriorly. Removal of visual input had a greater effect on the Romberg Quotient in the patient group. Conclusion: Older dizzy patients suffered from more advanced postural instability than healthy older adults. It is recommended that balance training and safety precautions should be included in the management of older dizzy patients.