Biodex Balance System Cut-off Scores in Geriatric Individuals
Biodex Balance System Cut-off Scores in Geriatric Individuals
Low back pain (LBP) is an important musculoskeletal problem that causes clinical, social and
 economic losses. LBP, which affects approximately 85% of the lifetime population, becomes
 chronic LBP in 23% of individuals lasting 3 months or more. Although there are various forms
 of LBP, the most common form is non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). There are no specific and
 definable pathologies in NSLBP such as a history of spinal surgery, presence of neurological
 deficit, facet joint problem, disc herniation and sacroiliac joint dysfunction.

 Biodex Balance System (Biodex Medical Systems, Shirley, NY) (BBS) is a device used for
 objective evaluation of static and dynamic balance, allowing free movement in mediolateral
 and anteroposterior directions. The validity-reliability studies of the BBS were conducted in
 various populations including active, non-active, young adult and geriatric individuals, and
 individuals with ankle sprains. The validity-reliability study of individuals with NSLBP was
 reported by Sherafat et al. has a strong-excellent correlation with four-square step test,
 timed-up-and-go test, Berg Balance Scale, and single leg stance test.

 Studies have emphasized the use of BBS in geriatric individuals with NSLBP, but no data on
 the cut-off scores of this system have been found. The determination of a cut-off score with
 high sensitivity and specificity is thought to be beneficial for detecting deterioration in
 functional status in geriatric individuals with NSLBP. Therefore, the aim of our study is to
 determine BBS cut-off scores in geriatric individuals with NSLBP.
Low back pain (LBP) is an important musculoskeletal problem that causes clinical, social and
 economic losses. LBP, which affects approximately 85% of the lifetime population, becomes
 chronic LBP in 23% of individuals lasting 3 months or more. Although there are various forms
 of LBP, the most common form is non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). There are no specific and
 definable pathologies in NSLBP such as a history of spinal surgery, presence of neurological
 deficit, facet joint problem, disc herniation and sacroiliac joint dysfunction.

 Although there are studies examining the changes in various positions in geriatric
 individuals with NSLBP, maintaining and maintaining postural control during standing position
 has been the focus of current studies. According to the systematic review study on the effect
 of sensory manipulations on postural release changes in individuals with NSLBP, the results
 are uncertain and further studies are needed. For example, in cases where sensory systems (eg
 visual, proprioceptive, and vestibular) that are effective in achieving postural control are
 not manipulated, some studies report greater release size in NSLBP patients, while others
 find that the size of release is similar to healthy individuals. Sherafat et al. Emphasized
 that the evaluation of gravity center changes in static environment may be effective in the
 emergence of these contradictory results. As expressed in this study, standing still on a
 static platform may be an obstacle to detect small postural stability and balance differences
 between individuals with and without NSLBP. In this context, testing of geriatric individuals
 with NSLBP in the standing position on a mobile platform such as the Biodex Balance System
 (BBS) (Biodex Medical Systems, Shirley, NY) and exposure to more stringent equilibrium
 conditions will yield more sensitive results in assessing postural stability and balance.

 BBS is a device used for objective evaluation of static and dynamic balance, allowing free
 movement in mediolateral and anteroposterior directions. The validity-reliability studies of
 the BBS were conducted in various populations including active, non-active, young adult and
 geriatric individuals, and individuals with ankle sprains. The validity-reliability study of
 individuals with NSLBP was reported by Sherafat et al. has a strong-excellent correlation
 with four-square step test, timed-up-and-go test, Berg Balance Scale, and single leg stance
 test.

 Studies have emphasized the use of BBS in geriatric individuals with NSLBP, but no data on
 the cut-off scores of this system have been found. The determination of a cut-off score with
 high sensitivity and specificity is thought to be beneficial for detecting deterioration in
 functional status in geriatric individuals with NSLBP. Therefore, the aim of our study is to
 determine BBS cut-off scores in geriatric individuals with NSLBP.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  the presence of episodic low back pain for 12 months or more,

 -  having a 40 mm pain score on the day of visual analog scale,

 -  the ability to follow and follow verbal commands,

 -  to volunteer to participate in the study.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  presence of severe spinal pathologies,

 -  history of spinal surgery,

 -  presence of neurological deficits,

 -  diagnosis of any specific low back pain (facet joint problem, disc herniation and
 sacroiliac joint dysfunction, etc.),

 -  nerve root compression,

 -  scoliosis, lordosis or kyphosis,

 -  cancer or the presence of other autoimmune diseases.