Comparison of Balance Impairment among Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Healthy Population

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition that affects respiratory system. Balance impairments are increasingly seen in patients suffering from COPD resulting in the onset of risk of falls. Objective: To compare balance impairment and fall risk between COPD patients and healthy individuals. Methodology: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 16 clinically stable COPD patients and 16 healthy individuals, with age range of 40-65 years. Berg balance scale (BBS), activity Specific balance confidence scale (ABC) and Time Up and Go test (TUG) were administered to evaluate balance impairments. Results: Independent sample T-test was applied to compare the difference in tests in both groups. Statistically significant difference was observed between two groups in terms of their BBS, ABC and TUG all with p<0.05. Pearson correlation test was used to check the correlation of age, BMI, and smoking with balance. Conclusion: The study concluded that COPD patients have balance impairments and high risks of falls as compared to healthy individuals. Furthermore, the study shows positive correlation of BMI and no relation of age and smoking with balance impairment. Keywords: Balance Impairments, Berg balance scale, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Fall, Time up and go test.