Revista Brasileira de Geriatria e Gerontologia (Dec 2016)

Correlations between low back pain and functional capacity among the elderly

  • Elias Nasrala Neto,
  • Walkiria Shimoya Bittencourt,
  • Mara Lilian Soares Nasrala,
  • Andre Luiz Lopes de Oliveira,
  • Ana Carolina Gaudencio de Souza,
  • Jéssica Fialho do Nascimento

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-22562016019.150227
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 19, no. 6
pp. 987 – 994

Abstract

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Abstract Objective: To investigate the association between low back pain and functional capacity among non-institutionalized elderly persons. Method: A cross-sectional observational study of non-institutionalized elderly persons was performed. The Timed Up and Go (TUG) and Sitting-Rising Test (SRT) functional tests were used, together with the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). Result: A total of 99 elderly persons of both genders were included. Kendall’s Correlation analysis showed a significant correlation between the RMDQ and the SRT scores for the act of sitting (p=0.001) and the act of lifting (p=0.028). Despite the statistical significance, these two variables were weakly correlated (r=-239;r=-163). The results also identified a statistically significant correlation between the TUG and SRT tests for the act of sitting (r=-222; p=0.003) and the act of lifting (r=-206; p=0.006). Conclusion: It was observed that most of the non-institutionalized elderly persons had good functional capacity. It is also possible to affirm that there is an association between low back pain and functional capacity.

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