Balance scores of hospitalized middle-aged medical patients on the day of discharge: indication for balance re-training

Abstract

Summary Falls due to inadequate balance may occur among newly discharged hospitalized patients of any age but most studies focused on recuperating older adults with neurological or orthopedic disorders. This study assessed on-the-spot discharge day balance of middle-aged medical patients and investigated whether this related to duration of hospitalization. Eighty-seven newly discharged middle-aged patients managed for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, lung and heart diseases and cancer patients receiving only chemotherapy and 87 age and sex matched apparently healthy controls were assessed for static and dynamic balance using the One Leg Stance (OLS) and 5-meter Timed Up and Go (5mTUG) tests respectively. Mean duration of hospitalization was 15.72 ± 9.51 days. The OLS was shorter (4.79 ± 2.34 sees) in the patients than controls (11.64 ± 2.59 sees); while the 5mTUG was longer (22.26 ± 11.67 sees) in the patients. Significant differences (P<0.05) were obtained when both tests were compared for both groups. Using Pearson's correlation, duration of hospitalization significantly (P<0.05) related with both tests. Middle-aged medical patients had low balance at discharge. The balance reduced as the hospitalization period advanced. Hospitalized medical patients should be assessed for balance and treated accordingly before final discharge in order to minimize dangerous outcomes from falls.