Exploring the Nexus of lower extremity proprioception and postural stability in older adults with osteoporosis: a cross-sectional investigation

Irshad Ahmad; Ravi Shankar Reddy; Raee S Alqhtani; Jaya Shanker Tedla; Snehil Dixit; Hussain Saleh H Ghulam; Abdullah Mohammed Alyami; Saeed Al Adal; Mohammad A M Jarrar

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1287223

Exploring the Nexus of lower extremity proprioception and postural stability in older adults with osteoporosis: a cross-sectional investigation

Front Public Health. 2023 Nov 30:11:1287223. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1287223. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Irshad Ahmad¹, Ravi Shankar Reddy¹, Raee S Alqhtani², Jaya Shanker Tedla¹, Snehil Dixit¹, Hussain Saleh H Ghulam², Abdullah Mohammed Alyami³, Saeed Al Adal², Mohammad A M Jarrar³

Affiliations

¹ Program of Physical Therapy, Department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
² Physical Therapy Department Medical Applied Sciences College, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia.
³ Rehabilitation Sciences Department, Applied Medical Sciences College, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Background: Osteoporosis, characterized by reduced bone mass and micro-architectural deterioration, poses a significant public health concern due to increased fracture susceptibility. Beyond bone health, this cross-sectional study aimed to assess and compare lower extremity proprioception and postural stability in individuals with and without osteoporosis and to explore their correlation within the osteoporosis group.

Method: In this prospective cross-sectional study, 80 participants were divided into two groups: osteoporosis (n = 40) and control (n = 40). The demographic characteristics and clinical parameters of the participants were as follows: Age (years) - Osteoporosis group: 65.04 ± 4.33, Control group: 65.24 ± 4.63; Sex (%) - Osteoporosis group: Male 30%, Female 70%; Control group: Male 30%, Female 70%; Body mass index (kg/m²) - Osteoporosis group: 23.7 ± 3.2, Control group: 24.5 ± 4.6; T-score (Lumbar) - Osteoporosis group: -2.86 ± 1.23, Control group: 0.27 ± 0.58; T-score (hip) - Osteoporosis group: -2.28 ± 0.79, Control group: 0.68 ± 0.86. Joint Position Sense (JPS) at the hip, knee, and ankle was assessed using a digital inclinometer, and postural stability was measured using computerized force platforms.

Result: Osteoporosis participants exhibited higher errors in hip (5.63° vs. 2.36°), knee (4.86° vs. 1.98°), and ankle (4.46° vs. 2.02°) JPS compared to controls. Postural stability measures showed increased anterior-posterior sway (10.86 mm vs. 3.98 mm), medial-lateral sway (8.67 mm vs. 2.89 mm), and ellipse area (966.88 mm² vs. 446.19 mm²) in osteoporosis participants. Furthermore, correlation analyses within the osteoporosis group unveiled significant positive associations between lower extremity proprioception and postural stability. Specifically, hip JPS exhibited a strong positive correlation with anterior-posterior sway (r = 0.493, p = 0.003), medial-lateral sway (r = 0.485, p = 0.003), and ellipse area (r = 0.496, p < 0.001). Knee JPS displayed a moderate positive correlation with anterior-posterior sway (r = 0.397, p = 0.012), medial-lateral sway (r = 0.337, p = 0.032), and ellipse area (r = 0.378, p < 0.001). Similarly, ankle JPS showed a moderate positive correlation with anterior-posterior sway (r = 0.373, p = 0.023), medial-lateral sway (r = 0.308, p = 0.045), and ellipse area (r = 0.368, p = 0.021).

Conclusion: These findings underscore the interplay between proprioceptive deficits, compromised postural stability, and osteoporosis, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to improve fall prevention strategies and enhance the quality of life for individuals with osteoporosis.

Keywords: center of pressure displacement; lower extremity proprioception; osteoporosis; postural stability; sway velocity.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Lower Extremity
Male
Osteoporosis*
Postural Balance*
Proprioception
Prospective Studies
Quality of Life

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. The authors extend their appreciation to the Ministry of Education in KSA for funding this research work through the project number-KKU-IFP2-DB-5.