Objective: Many studies have demonstrated that the loss of muscle mass (LMM) poses a risk of postural instability in the elderly; however, few studies have shown how LMM decreases proprioception. In this study, we investigated the changes in postural sway among older individuals with LMM induced by application of a local vibratory stimulus.
Method: We enrolled 64 older adults (mean age). Postural sway was measured while applying vibration stimuli of 30, 60, and 240 Hz to both the gastrocnemius and lumbar multifidus muscles. We also measured the relative proprioceptive weighting ratio (RPW) of postural sway. The patients were divided into LMM and non-LMM (NLMM) groups. The study subjects were compared in terms of their age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), lower leg skeletal muscle mass index (LSMI), L4/5 lumbar multifidus cross-sectional area ratio, and RPW at 30, 60, and 240 Hz.
Results: Subjects in the LMM group showed a significantly lower RPW at 60 Hz, LSMI, and BMI than did those in the NLMM group.
Conclusions: Decrease in RPW with 60-Hz stimulation concerning the lower leg proprioception is a risk factor for LMM-associated postural instability in the elderly. Consequently, with respect to the gastrocnemius muscles proprioception in LMM, it is necessary to perform assessments using muscle spindle stimuli.
Keywords: lumbar spondylosis; muscle spindles; proprioception; skeletal muscle mass.
2020, JAPANESE PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION.