Pearson correlation coefficient, r Assessment of Postural Stability with a Balance Platform Among Fallers with Symptomatic Osteoarthritis in the MyFAIT study Mat S1, Ng CT1,2, Fadzli F3, Rozalli I3, Tan M P1,2 1Ageing and Age-Associated Disorders Research Group, 2Department of Medicine, 3Department of Biomedical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya Introduction Osteoarthritis (OA) has been reported as an important risk factor for falls. However, few studies have evaluated the potential mechanisms of falls among individuals with OA. We conducted a pilot study to evaluate the use of a balance platform to assess postural stability for older fallers with symptomatic OA (SOA) in our setting. Image credit to: http://www.ecrc-pt.com/?sec=news&id=212 Method Figure Participants: from the Malaysian Falls Assessment and Intervention Trial (MyFAIT), aged ≥65 years with a history of two falls or one injurious fall over the past 12 months were recruited into this study. Patients’ hip and knee radiographs were assessed by a radiologist using the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grading scale. Symptomatic OA (SOA) was defined as KL-grade >2 and a Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) pain score >0. Postural balance test (Balance master, Neurocom, USA). Limits of stability (LOS), Sit-to-stand (STS) Modified clinical test of sensory interaction on balance (mCTSIB) Measurements from the balance platform were correlated with the timed up and go (TUG) and functional reach (FR) tests. Table Correlation of postural balance measures with Timed Up and Go (TUG) and Functional reach (FR) among SOA Pearson correlation coefficient, r TUG FR Forward Maximal Excursion 0.463 0.450 Back Maximal Excursion -0.070 0.163 Right Maximal Excursion -0.145 0.015 Left Maximal Excursion -0.690* 0.541 Forward Directional Control 0.725 0.321 Back Directional Control -0.574* 0.447 Right Directional Control -0.440 0.302 Left Directional Control 0.184 -0.053 Directional Control -0.337 0.672* Forward Reaction Time -0.014 -0.201 Back Reaction Time -0.144 -0.321 Left Reaction Time 0.291 -0.674* Right Reaction Time -0.108 0.157 Reaction Time 0.008 -0.238 Result Twenty-one fallers, mean age (SD) = 74.38 (6.045), 6 men, were recruited. Fallers with SOA (n=13) had significantly lower forward end point compared to the NSOA group (40.62 VS 56.13, p=0.036). There was no significant difference in STS or mCTSIB between the two groups. In the SOA group, TUG was significantly negative correlated with left maximal excursion(r=-0.690) and back directional control (r=-0.574). FR was significantly correlated with left reaction time (r=-0.674) and directional control (DCL) (r=0.672). *significant at level 0.05 Conclusion The presence of symptomatic OA in fallers was associated with impaired LOS, while the functional performance scores in individuals with symptomatic OA correlated significantly with excursion, directional control and reaction time measured with a balance platform. The balance platform is a useful tool to determine postural stability among older fallers with symptomatic OA. This research is supported by University Malaya Research Grant (UMRG - RP010-2012C) mptan@ummc.edu.my 1 1 1