Abstract
[Purpose] This study examined the relations between balance ability and physical function and ability, and differences in balance ability across the GOLD stages of patients with COPD. [Subjects]The subjects were 31 in-patients with stable COPD (age: 75.7 ± 6.8 years old). [Methods] We measured balance ability, physical function and ability. The relationships between balance ability and physical function and ability were analyzed with Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient. Differences among the GOLD stages were analyzed by ANOVA, and the post-hoc test was the Tukey method. [Results] There were significant correlations between TUG and physical function and ability, and between total trajectory, periphery area and physical ability. In addition, there were significant difference between GOLD stage I+II and GOLD stage IV for total trajectory, periphery area, single-leg standing time and TUG. [Conclusion] We showed that GOLD stage IV has a high probability of low balance ability, increasing the risk of falls.
